Albert Einstein, whose name became synonymous with genius, died on April 18, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey. The intense public and scientific curiosity surrounding his extraordinary intellect led to a controversial post-mortem history. Scientists were eager to examine the physical source of his revolutionary ideas, viewing his brain as a tangible symbol of unparalleled cognitive capacity. This desire to find a biological explanation for genius set the stage for a decades-long saga, transforming the physicist’s remains into one of the most studied and debated specimens in the history of neuroscience.
The Unauthorized Retention and Preservation
The unauthorized removal of the physicist’s brain occurred during the autopsy performed at Princeton Hospital on the morning of his death. Pathologist Dr. Thomas Harvey removed the brain, despite Einstein’s wish for cremation and scattering of his remains to prevent posthumous veneration. Harvey acted on his own initiative, believing the organ held the secrets to Einstein’s brilliance and should be preserved for future scientific study.
The pathologist weighed the brain, noting it was 1,230 grams, slightly below the adult male average of 1,400 grams. Harvey then photographed the intact specimen from numerous angles to document its external appearance before beginning the preservation process. He injected the brain with 50% formalin through the internal carotid arteries and then suspended the entire organ in a 10% formalin solution.
Following fixation, the brain was transported to a laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. Harvey dissected it into approximately 240 blocks, each measuring about one cubic centimeter. These blocks were then embedded in a plastic-like material called celloidin for long-term preservation and easier slicing. Harvey subsequently created 12 sets of microscopic slides from these blocks, intending to distribute them to handpicked researchers who might unlock the secrets of the brain’s unique structure.
Anatomical Features and Scientific Findings
Studies on the preserved tissue and photographs have revealed several structural features that distinguish Einstein’s brain from control specimens. One frequently cited finding concerns the parietal lobe, an area associated with mathematical thought, spatial reasoning, and visual imagery. Researchers noted that this region appeared unusually large and asymmetrical, particularly in the inferior parietal lobule.
A detailed analysis of the brain’s surface found that the Sylvian fissure, or lateral sulcus, a deep groove that typically separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe, was notably truncated or partially absent in Einstein’s brain. Scientists hypothesized that the missing groove allowed for a greater physical connection and more extensive communication between the neurons in the adjacent parietal and frontal regions. This greater connectivity could potentially have contributed to his unique cognitive style, which he himself described as more visual than verbal.
Another finding focused on the non-neuronal cells, specifically the glial cells, which support the central nervous system. In one comparative study, researchers found a higher ratio of glial cells, particularly astrocytes, to neurons in certain areas of Einstein’s brain compared to the control group. This difference was statistically significant in the left inferior parietal region, a part of the association cortex responsible for synthesizing information from multiple brain areas. Since glial cells provide nutrients and support to neurons, a higher density might suggest an increased metabolic demand and greater long-term activity in this area, although a direct link to genius remains unproven.
The Journey and Distribution of Samples
Following the initial preservation, Dr. Thomas Harvey maintained custodianship of the brain for over four decades. After losing his job at Princeton Hospital, Harvey moved several times, taking the tissue with him across the United States. The brain’s blocks and slides were often stored in unlikely places, including jars kept in a cider box inside a beer cooler.
Over the years, Harvey distributed small portions of the brain to various researchers he selected, allowing them to conduct studies. This resulted in the material becoming fragmented, with samples scattered across the country and even internationally. The first study on the tissue was not published until 1985, 30 years after Einstein’s death, highlighting the long, secretive custody of the pathologist.
In the late 1990s, the aging Harvey began to relinquish control of the remaining material. A significant portion of the bulk tissue, including about 180 of the original 240 blocks, was eventually returned to the University Medical Center at Princeton. In 2010, Harvey’s heirs formally transferred his entire collection of Einstein’s brain remnants, including the remaining bulk tissue and microscopic slides, to the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia also holds a set of the slides, which are occasionally displayed for the public.
Ethical Considerations of Post-Mortem Study
The saga of Einstein’s brain involves ethical and philosophical considerations regarding the appropriation of human remains for science. Einstein had explicitly requested cremation, making the initial removal and long-term retention of his brain a violation of his personal wishes. While his son later granted reluctant permission for study, the act remains a significant example of scientific zeal overriding individual autonomy.
The intense focus on Einstein’s brain also highlights the phenomenon of “neuromythology,” which is the tendency to over-interpret minor anatomical differences as the sole cause of exceptional talent. Despite the discoveries of unique sulci patterns and glial cell density, no single feature has conclusively explained his genius. The differences observed could plausibly be the result of his lifelong, intense mental exercise, rather than an inborn trait.
Ultimately, the brain’s strange afterlife serves as a cautionary tale about the ethics of studying famous individuals without clear consent. It forces a discussion on whether a great mind grants science a right to the body after death, transforming a person’s remains into a public relic. The enduring lesson is that while structural anomalies exist, the complex nature of human intelligence is unlikely to be reduced to a few unique folds or cell counts.