Albert Einstein

A genius of 20th century—a revolutionary scientist—and an original free-think tank, Einstein was the most celebrated scientist who transformed the realms of modern physics by the Theory of Relativity and Quantum Theory which formed the basis of modern science. A Nobel Prize winner, Einstein also contributed many of his ideas on a range of humanitarian and global issues of his time. He was perhaps the only one Physicist who had unmatchable popularity not only among science fraternity but also among youngsters. He was also a fine musician and used to play violin to a high standard. Unlike other scientist Einstein had a great sense of humor which came naturally to him.

A curious childhood

Born in a middle-class secular Jewish family on March, 14, 1879, Einstein showed early signs of a curious mind that would, in later years, turn him to be an independent think tank that reflected in his work. He was only 12 when he first came across a book on geometry and read it word to word. He was fascinated with the book so much that in later years he called it his “Holy Booklet”. This inspired him for self learning but somehow he languished in school and soon was sent home as the principal thought that it might set a bad example for rest of the students. Later he applied at Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and failed miserably in languages, Botany, and Zoology. However, he passed next year.

Work and personal life

It was 1896 when Einstein renounced his German citizenship and had to live stateless for five years. He applied for Swiss citizenship in 1901 and started working in a Patent Office. It was during this time when Einstein started his own scientific discoveries and published his first scientific paper in 1900 followed by 1905 when he published four new papers that would revolutionize modern physics and in the same year he completed his PhD. Einstein works started receiving recognition and he was offered a post at the University of Zurich in 1909 and in 1911he was offered the post of full-professor at Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague. After some time he returned to Germany and was appointed the Director at Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics (1914–1932).

Scientific achievements :

With the rise of Nazi power in Germany Einstein took an offer at the Princeton University and that was the period when he completely devoted most of his time to discoveries. The first of his revolutionary theory was Photoelectric Effect for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1921.

He also proposed that movement can only be detected and measured as relative movement; the change of position of one body in respect to another. This formed the basis of energy mass relation E=MC2.

In 1925-26 he participated in debates with contemporary scientist Bohr about the nature of relativity and quantum physics. In 1920s, he travelled many countries and had an opportunity to visit India where he met Rabindranath Tagore and the duo became instant friends.

However, all through his life he was notoriously known for his absentmindedness. In later years, he remembered one of his friend’s mothers told his mother that the boy would not amount to anything. Einstein giggled as he was recapitulating that moment years later. A true legend as he was, he finally left his earthly abode on April 19, 1955 and a legacy to motivate generations to come.