Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist whose work revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and energy. He is best known for developing the theory of relativity, encapsulated in the equation E = mc², which describes the relationship between mass and energy. His Special Theory of Relativity (1905) introduced the concept that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and led to groundbreaking ideas about the speed of light and time dilation. A decade later, he expanded on this with his General Theory of Relativity (1915), which fundamentally changed our understanding of gravity, describing it as the curvature of space-time caused by mass.
Einstein also made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, and he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which demonstrated that light has particle-like properties. Known for his humanitarian efforts and pacifism, Einstein fled Nazi Germany and eventually settled in the United States, where he continued his work at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. His intellectual legacy and famous insights have cemented him as one of the most iconic scientists in history.
