Albert Einstein's life went from that of a curious child to a pioneering physicist, becoming one of the most iconic figures in science—and perhaps in history itself—a legend who was, in the eyes of many, the epitome of intelligence.
But how did he become such a uniquely mythical figure? His groundbreaking discoveries, though transformative, had little practical application during his time, and few truly understood his theories. Moreover, as a Jewish man in a time filled with prejudice and anti-Semitism, Albert faced significant societal obstacles. Yet, this wild-haired man with a gentle smile, who loved playing the violin and writing poetry, rose to become one of the most beloved and admired figures of the 20th century. In this snapshot biography, we’ll explore the unique blend of brilliance, personality, and circumstance that made Albert a cultural icon.
"When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute and it's longer than any hour. That's relativity." - Albert Einstein
Albert was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany. His family moved to Munich shortly after. Of the many stories people like to tell about him, two of the more popular ones come from these early years of his life. People like to say that Albert had slow development and poor grades. Like most tales, it was more nuanced. Albert didn't start speaking until around two and a half years old. But then, throughout his childhood, he was curious and loved solving problems and building structures.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Historical Snapshots to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.