avatarFarshid Wahdat

Summary

The article recounts the unusual story of Albert Einstein's stolen brain, detailing the unauthorized autopsy by Dr. Thomas Harvey, the subsequent custody disputes, and the eventual research that revealed Einstein's brain had more glial cells than average, suggesting heightened mental capabilities.

Abstract

Following the death of Albert Einstein due to an aortic artery rupture on April 17, 1955, pathologist Dr. Thomas Harvey performed an autopsy without formal permission, removing and preserving Einstein's brain in formalin. Despite Einstein's wish for his body to be cremated with his brain intact, Harvey's actions led to a series of conflicts over the ownership of the brain. Harvey was eventually fired from Princeton Hospital and took the brain to the University of Pennsylvania for study. Over the years, Harvey resisted collaboration with other researchers, even facing personal consequences such as divorce. In 1985, Dr. Marian Diamond's research on the brain slides indicated an increased number of glial cells in Einstein's brain, which could be linked to his exceptional cognitive abilities. The brain was later returned to Princeton Hospital, and parts of it are now on display at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia.

Opinions

  • Dr. Thomas Harvey's actions in removing and studying Einstein's brain were driven by personal curiosity rather than scientific necessity.
  • The article suggests that there was a significant interest from the medical community in studying Einstein's brain, as evidenced by numerous requests to participate in the research.
  • Harvey's refusal to involve others in the study of Einstein's brain, despite having completed his own research, indicates a possessive attitude towards the specimen.
  • The research findings by Dr. Marian Diamond imply that the unique composition of Einstein's brain, with more glial cells, may have contributed to his extraordinary intellectual capabilities.
  • The story of Einstein's brain, with its ethical complexities and scientific intrigue, is presented as a fascinating episode in the history of science.

Einstein’s Stolen Brain (An Unusual Story)

The Story That I Initially Found Hard to Believe, but Was Made to Accept

A patient with hurtful chest pain was taken to Princeton Hospital on April 17, 1955. An aortic artery rupture was the cause of his death at the age of 76, according to medical professionals. This person was none other than Albert Einstein, the most renowned scientist of the 20th century. Rumors of Einstein’s brain being stolen surfaced jointly with his death and soon after, making headlines and influencing the general public.

At the moment of Einstein’s death, pathologist Dr. Thomas Harvey was present. Harvey conducted an autopsy on Einstein’s body seven hours after his death, recording the reason for his demise and taking measurements of his brain. Einstein’s autopsy was not authorized by any formal letter or permission, despite Dr. Harvey’s assertion that he had one.

Einstein before his death Bequeathed that his body should be burned with his brain on his head but Dr. Thomas put Einstein’s brain into Formalin and brought it to his home and threw his eyes away.

Dr. Harvey with Einstein's brain

Dr. Harvey’s interest in studying and dissecting Einstein’s brain is more a result of curiosity than of technical knowledge. According to reports, Dr. Harvey consents to Dr. Zimmerman’s request to remove Einstein’s brain. After some time, Zimmerman prepares his New York facility for this research. Still, the Princeton facility administration won’t let him, which leads to a conflict about who owns Einstein’s brain.

In the middle of these disputes, Dr. Harvey ultimately gets kicked out of Princeton Hospital and takes Einstein’s brain to the University of Pennsylvania. There, they investigate it with the help of a brain technician. At this time, a lot of doctors ask Dr. Harvey to be a part of the study; but, since he has already finished his research, he declines their pleas. For inspection, the brain is separated into 1240 slides, and these slides are used for most of the study. Harvey is so adamant about keeping others out of the research on Einstein’s brain that he even got divorced from his wife for pressuring him to include others in the project.

A sample of slides from Einstein’s brain

Thirty years later, Harvey is still moving across American cities to make sure no one finds out where he is. After obtaining some of Einstein’s brain slides from Dr. Harvey, Dr. Marian Diamond of UCLA eventually published the first scientific paper on the subject in 1985:

There are more glial cells in Einstein’s brain than in the brains of average people. In actuality, these cells help the neurons in the brain. This indicates that Einstein’s brain was more metabolically active, indicating improved mental and cognitive capacities.

After having his medical license revoked in 1988, Thomas Harvey went back to Princeton. He is asked to see Einstein’s grandson by an author. Dr. Harvey visits the grandson’s house with Einstein’s brain in tow. He realizes he left the brain behind on the way back, but the grandson gives it back to him. He was eventually delivered to Princeton Hospital with the brain. A section of Einstein’s brain is currently on display for the public to see at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia.

A factual story worth reading:

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Einstein
Brain
Storytelling
Genius
History
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