Did You Know? Einstein's Brain Was Stolen For Over 4 Decades & Cut Into Pieces By Doctor Who Performed His Autopsy
Albert Einstein was one of the smartest people ever known, with an IQ around 160. There are many stories about his phenomenal discoveries and how brilliant he was. But there's a lesser-known tale about his brain. Shockingly, when he passed away in 1955, the pathologist in charge took his brain without permission and kept it for more than two decades. The reasoning behind doing so was quite questionable, to say the least.
Albert Einstein was one of the smartest people ever known, with an IQ around 160. There are many stories about his phenomenal discoveries and how brilliant he was. But there's a lesser-known tale about his brain. Shockingly, when he passed away in 1955, the pathologist in charge took his brain without permission and kept it for over four decades. The reasoning behind doing so was questionable, to say the least.
Chief pathologist stole brain
Einstein passed away on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76, due to a burst in his abdomen's main artery. Dr. Thomas Stoltz Harvey was the chief pathologist at Princeton Hospital the day he died.
Albert Einstein
Harvey had an unusual idea: by taking Einstein's brain, he thought he could unlock the secrets of his genius and be remembered as the doctor who solved the puzzle behind his intelligence.
During Einstein's autopsy in 1955 thus, Harvey kept parts of the brain for scientific study without asking his family first. He only sought permission from Hans Einstein, Albert¡¯s oldest son, afterwards.
Cut up brain, took pictures & preserved it
Harvey not only preserved, took pictures, and measured the brain, but also cut it into 240 pieces.
According to the BBC, he made 12 sets of 200 slides containing samples of tissue, labeled with blocks.
The brain had been missing for 23 years when a reporter named Steven Levy asked Harvey for a photo of it. Harvey showed him a cooler with brain pieces inside.
Unsplash
Regarding what he discovered about the brain, Harvey released the initial study in 1985, suggesting it had an unusual mix of neurons and glial cells. These cells support neurons and provide them with oxygen and nutrients.
However, numerous experts have discredited the studies, calling them meaningless.
In Frederick Lepore's 2018 book "Finding Einstein¡¯s Brain," it was revealed that the dissected brain was eventually returned to Einstein's family, who then gave it to the M¨¹tter Medical Museum in Philadelphia.
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