Science / Scientists Datebook: 14 March
A brief biography of Albert Einstein, German-born American physicist, Famous for Theory of Relativity, E=MC².
Once again, we remember the birthday of Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 - April 18, 1955), German-born American, born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany. Theoretical physicist and mathematician, Einstein is best known for his Theory of Relativity, with formula insignia E=MC². He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, especially for his discovery of the law of photoelectric effect, and "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect", a pivotal step in the development of quantum theory . He was highly influential on the Manhattan Project, which led to the first atomic bomb. Like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, his musical idol, in the scientific world, Einstein's name has become synonymous with genius.
Having made important contributions to quantum mechanics, Einstein was therefore a central figure in the revolutionary reshaping of the scientific understanding of nature that modern physics accomplished in the first decades of the twentieth century. His mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, which arises from relativity theory, has been called "the world's most famous equation". His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science.
Subtle is the Lord
There are two books authored by Abraham Pais, a theoretical physicist himself, that many people think as the best biography of Einstein. The first one is Subtle is the Lord, published in 1982. I haven't the chance to read this book except brief information about it, but as far as I know this is not for the layman.
Einstein Lived Here
In the second book, Einstein Lived Here (it's beside me now) by Pais, which is considered the companion volume of Subtle is the Lord, he brings Albert Einstein the man, to us, much in the layman's language, that is, accessible and non-mathematical. In Einstein Lived Here, we learn not only about Einstein's views on religion and his philosophies, but his marital problems; his contacts with prominent personalities like John D. Rockefeller, Chaplin, Freud, and Gandhi, to name a few; his interest in capital punishment and vegetarianism; and more. The book was reliably written from the author's special perspective not only because he is a physicist himself but he also knew Einstein personally for several years. What more can I say of this genius of the century who has been the subject of numerous books, articles, journals, biographies, and factions.
Subtle is the Lord
There are two books authored by Abraham Pais, a theoretical physicist himself, that many people think as the best biography of Einstein. The first one is Subtle is the Lord, published in 1982. I haven't the chance to read this book except brief information about it, but as far as I know this is not for the layman.
Einstein Lived Here
In the second book, Einstein Lived Here (it's beside me now) by Pais, which is considered the companion volume of Subtle is the Lord, he brings Albert Einstein the man, to us, much in the layman's language, that is, accessible and non-mathematical. In Einstein Lived Here, we learn not only about Einstein's views on religion and his philosophies, but his marital problems; his contacts with prominent personalities like John D. Rockefeller, Chaplin, Freud, and Gandhi, to name a few; his interest in capital punishment and vegetarianism; and more. The book was reliably written from the author's special perspective not only because he is a physicist himself but he also knew Einstein personally for several years. What more can I say of this genius of the century who has been the subject of numerous books, articles, journals, biographies, and factions.
In a 1999 poll of 130 leading physicists worldwide by the British journal Physics World, Albert Einstein was ranked the greatest physicist of all time. His intellectual achievements and originality have made the word Einstein broadly synonymous with genius.
Suggested Readings:
Albert Einstein - Biographical. "Albert Einstein - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 15 Mar 2017.
Good Vibrations: The Role of music in Einstein's thinking, by Dr. Liam Viney. "The Conversation". ABC Classic. Accessed March 14, 2019. (I've provided some music links here where they may no longer be available in the article.):
Preludio from Bach’s - Hilary Hahn - 10/28/2017. YouTube, accessed March 14, 2019.
Mozart Symphony 41 C Major -- KV 551 -- 4th Movement Molto Allegro. Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. YouTube, uploaded by auburnpeninsulare. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Mozart - Concerto No 23 in A major K. 488 - Daniil Trifonov and the Israel Camerata Orchestra. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Albert Einstein - Biographical. "Albert Einstein - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2014. Web. 15 Mar 2017.
Mozart - Concerto No 23 in A major K. 488 - Daniil Trifonov and the Israel Camerata Orchestra. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Albert Einstein. Wiki Commons / public Domain.
- Albert Einstein. en.wikipedia.org.
- Einstein Lived Here, by Abraham Pais, Oxford University Press (1994)
- Illustrated Biographical Dictionary, edited by John Clark, Chancellor Press (1994)
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