Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics. His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. He is best known to the general public for his mass–energy equivalence formula E=mc², which has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation". He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect", the first step into quantum theory. In his native Germany and later in the United States, Einstein was a symbol of genius, known for his eloquent advocacy of pacifism and civil liberties. He became an American citizen in 1940. In his later years, he was a leading figure in the campaign for nuclear disarmament, and was known for his Jewish identity and his support for Zionism.