In his last years of life, Albert Einstein knew he was ill and refused operations that would save his life. He made his wishes clear: “I want to be cremated so people won’t come to worship at my bones” [source: Paterniti]. Einstein died on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76 of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism, and he got his wish as far as his bones were concerned; his ashes were scattered in an undisclosed location. But Einstein’s brain was a different matter.
During the autopsy, conducted at Princeton Hospital, a pathologist named Thomas Harvey removed Einstein’s brain — the brain that had given the world such revolutionary thoughts as E=mc2, the theory of relativity, an understanding of the speed of light and the idea that led to the completion of the atomic bomb. Harvey held the brain that produced those thoughts in his hands. And then he took it.
Depending on whom you believe, Harvey either did a wonderful thing for science that day, or he’s no better than a common grave robber. Einstein had participated in studies during his lifetime to ascertain what might have made his brain different, and at least one biographer claims that Einstein wished for his gray matter to be studied after death [source: Altman].
Full story at How Stuff Works
‘…depending on whom you believe, Harvey either did a wonderful thing for science that day, or he’s no better than a common grave robber…’
I guess it’s all relative then?
Mines the white one with a cerebellum hastily stuffed down the front…
I am sure when they examined his brain there were no major differences compared to an average. Not sure why I expect this to be tested with new science and to be informed Einstein’s brain is in fact a special case, guess I can’t use any excuse for having a dumbass moment.
It’s interesting actually the article says “She noticed that Einstein’s Sylvian fissure was largely absent. The Sylvian fissure separates the parietal lobe into two distinct compartments, and without this dividing line, Einstein’s parietal lobe was 15 percent wider than the average brain” then gave a source etc it then goes on to say “Significantly, the parietal lobe is responsible for skills such as mathematical ability, spatial reasoning and three-dimensional visualization. This seemed to fit in perfectly with how Einstein described his own thought process”… that plus the fact it’s possible but not proved he had more glial cells than neurons than that of an average brain affecting communication also.
Problem was with credibility over the brain comparisons used in the studies. Think this is why tests are repeated by different scientists.
I dont think it worked that much different than many of us on this planet. It’s Albert who worked it a bit more probably … and as Albert is no longer in there when they start researching it …. Albert has left the brain .. ..
What about the moral concepts of it? Was it right to dismiss someones wishes for what was to happen after they die? I actually really think not. Although interesting what they found, It’s like you saying “Oh I wanna be cremated” but they don’t or cremate half of you? Are you comfortable with that? If so what the heck is the point of a will may I ask?
@Rachael Alderson
According to one source he DID want his brain experimented on.. although i can’t say whether this was true or not, i would likely believe it was … i cant see why such an intelligent man like einstein would rather his brain waste away to ash.. than to hand it over the scientific community; to wich he has been a great contributer to all of his life, and be of possible benefit to brain/neuro scientists.
Even if it was against his will, i would have done the same thing….
i think einstein would not have been too prudish to get really pissed about it, if he were ever to know….
which he wont…
teeheeheehee