Einstein’s eyes and brain were stolen after death: Here’s what happened to them
During his life, Germany-born Albert Einstein transformed the world of physics. He was recognised countless number of times for his contribution to science and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. Albert Einstein knew his brain would be of interest to researchers and therefore, he left specific instructions regarding his remains: Cremate them, and scatter the ashes secretly in order to discourage idolaters.
But when he passed away at Princeton Hospital in 1955, the pathologist on call, Dr. Thomas Harvey stole Einstein’s eyes and brain!
Why steal Einstein’s eyes and brain?
You know that preserving the body parts of the famous is not uncommon. George Washington’s tooth, American inventor Thomas Edison’s last breath all have been safely preserved over years. So, in case of a rare genius like Albert Einstein, many scientists would have been naturally curious about what could be special in his brain. And that is what probably led Harvey to steal Einstein’s eyes and brain which he thought could shed light on the nature of the genius.
Where are Einstein’s eyes now?
After removing Einstein’s eyes, Harvey gave them to his optometrist, Dr. Henry Abrams. It is believed they are now locked away in a safety deposit box in the New York city. Every once in a while, you will hear a rumour that the eyes are going up for auction.
What happened to Einstein’s brain?
While Einstein’s eyes went to the safe deposit box, his brain had a more globe-trotting experience.
Harvey did not have permission to conduct an autopsy, nor was allowed to keep the brain for himself. But that's exactly what he did for four decades. Harvey kept the most famous brain in the world with himself after taking an acceptance from Hans Albert, Einstein's son who asked him to use the brain only for scientific purposes.
A colleague of Harvey cut most of the brain into 240 blocks and put them on microscope slides. From time to time, Harvey sent the slides to various researchers, although only few studies resulted. Harvey, who moved around the United States several times in the course of his career, kept the jar containing what remained of the brain in a cardboard box. Finally, in 1998 Harvey gave the jar to the Princeton Medical University.
The fate of Einstein’s brain
The first anatomical study of Einstein's brain was published in 1999. In 2010, Harvey's heirs transferred all of his holdings constituting the remains of Einstein's brain to the US’ National Museum of Health and Medicine. Then, 46 small portions of Einstein's brain were acquired by the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia. In 2013, segments of the brain went on exhibit in the museum's permanent galleries. The exhibit featured thin slices of Einstein's brain, mounted on microscope slides.