Albert Einstein Facts
Early in his life, Albert Einstein was known for being the kid with the exceptionally large head. When he grew up he went on to become the man who is arguably the most famous scientist in history. The reason why he is so famous is because of his outstanding accomplishments in physics, which won him a Nobel Prize. Most people know that he created the equation E = MC2, but what many do not know about this interesting man is the fact that he failed a University entrance exam at the age of 17. When you read the following information about Albert Einstein, you will learn other little known facts about this genius including the interesting fact about where his brain ended up after his death.Facts about Albert Einstein's Early Years
- It is believed that his real interest in science was prompted by a compass given to him by his father at the age of 5.
- According to records kept by Einstein's only sibling, Maja, he was a determined and calm little boy that was sometimes slow but always self-confident.
- Albert Einstein was known for being an eccentric little boy that developed into an eccentric man. He preferred to wear his hair wild and uncut, did not speak until age four, named his violin, and created a contract for his wife to sign outlining his living requirements.
- At the age of 12, Einstein discovered a book on Geometry at the beginning of the school year and was so fascinated by it that he read it over and over again.
- Einstein was actually a high school dropout. He was told by more than one teacher that he in fact should drop out as he showed such a dislike for school.
Facts about Albert Einstein's Later Years
- In 1999, Time Magazine considered Albert Einstein to be the greatest mind of the 20th century and they named him "Man of the Century".
- Despite his genius, Einstein actually had a very poor memory. Simple everyday things such as dates and phone numbers, even his own, were hard for him to recall.
- Einstein was born to a middle-class Jewish family in Germany in 1879 and died in 1955 in the United States at the age of 76.
- Before Einstein married his former student, Mileva Maric, he had a child with her out of wedlock. What happened to her remains unclear.
- In the 1950's, Albert Einstein was asked by the Prime Minister of Israel to become the countries second president but he declined.
- Einstein did not die a wealthy man. Rather than keep his earnings, he often chose to give to charity. He charged money for his autograph and then donated the money to charity. It is reported that anything left in his estate when he died went to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
- Upon Albert Einstein's death, a man named Dr. Thomas Harvey, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Einstein, removed and stored his brain in a jar. He did not seek permission to do this and was later fired from his job for not returning the brain. It was in his possession for 43 years.
