Albert Einstein :: Biographies Science Essays

Albert mind Of all the scientists to emerge from the nineteenth and twentiethcenturies there is one whose name is known by almost all biography people.While most of these do not understand this mans work, everyone knows thatits impact on the world of science is astonishing. Yes,many have heard ofAlbert Einsteins General Theory of relativity, but fewer know about theintriguing life that led this scientist to discover what some have called,The greatest single achievement of human thought. Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany on March 14, 1874. Before his firstbirthday, his family had moved to Munich where young Alberts father,Hermann Einstein, and uncle set up a small electro-chemical business. Hewas fortunate to have an excellent family with which he held a strongrelationship. Alberts mother, Pauline Einstein, had an intense passion formusic and literature, and it was she that first introduced her son to theviolin in which he found much joy and relaxation. Also, he was very cl osewith his younger sister, Maja, and they could often be found in the lakesthat were scattered about the countryside near Munich. As a child, Einsteins sense of curiosity had already begun to stir. Afavorite toy of his was his fathers compass, and he often marveled at hisuncles explanations of algebra. Although young Albert was intrigued bycertain mysteries of science, he was considered a slow learner. His failureto become fluid in German until the age of nine up to now led some teachers tobelieve he was disabled. Einsteins post-basic education began at the Luitpold Gymnasium whenhe was ten. It was here that he first encountered the German spirit throughthe schools strict disciplinary policy. His disapproval of this method ofteaching led to his reputation as a rebel. It was probably thesedifferences that caused Einstein to search for knowledge at home. He begannot with science, but with religion. He avidly studied the Bible seekingtruth, but this religious fervor in short died down when he discovered theintrigue of science and math. To him, these seemed much more realistic thanancient stories. With this new knowledge he disliked class even more, andwas eventually expelled from Luitpold Gymnasium being considered adisruptive influence. Feeling that he could no longer deal with the German mentality,Einstein moved to Switzerland where he go on his education. At sixteenhe attempted to enroll at the Federal Institute of Technology but failed