Stellar Lens Magnification Relation Published
Einstein quantified the magnification produced by gravitational deflection in a simple stellar-lens geometry, linking image brightness to the angular alignment of source and lens.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Albert Einstein Biography and Timeline — Page 6
Follow Albert Einstein through 240 dated historical records for United States of America.
Albert Einstein, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
240Distinct records
6 of 6Page
1936–1955Years on this page
1936
Two-Image Stellar Lens Configuration Published
Einstein's lensing note described how imperfect alignment can produce two apparent images of a background star because its light reaches the observer along different curved paths.
Gravitational Wave Debate
Einstein and Nathan Rosen initially question whether exact gravitational waves exist, then recognise that a troublesome singularity is a coordinate effect rather than a physical obstruction.
Gravitational-Wave Manuscript with Rosen
With Nathan Rosen, submits a manuscript questioning gravitational waves, then revises the analysis after recognising that a problematic singularity arose from the coordinates used.
1937
Einstein-Rosen Waves
Einstein and Rosen publish a corrected treatment of cylindrical gravitational waves, demonstrating that exact wave solutions can exist within general relativity.
On Gravitational Waves Published
Einstein and Rosen publish a corrected paper showing cylindrical gravitational-wave solutions.
Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann Collaboration
Works with Leopold Infeld and Banesh Hoffmann on deriving equations of motion from general relativity.
1938
EIH Method Derives Gravitational Motion
With Leopold Infeld and Banesh Hoffmann, Einstein developed an approximation in which the motion of gravitating bodies follows from the relativistic field equations rather than from a separately imposed force law.
Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann Equations
Publishes work deriving approximate equations of motion for gravitating bodies from general relativity.
Evolution of Physics Published
Publishes The Evolution of Physics with Leopold Infeld for a broad readership.
The Evolution of Physics Relativity Exposition
With Leopold Infeld, publishes The Evolution of Physics, explaining the conceptual transition from classical mechanics and fields to relativity and modern physics.
1939
Einstein-Szilard Letter
Signs the Einstein-Szilard letter warning President Roosevelt about uranium chain reactions and possible powerful bombs.
Spherical Cluster Relativity Analysis
Studies a stationary spherical system of gravitating particles and argues that such configurations do not naturally form the Schwarzschild-type singular surface then under discussion.
1940
Second Roosevelt Letter
Writes again to President Roosevelt urging stronger attention to uranium research developments.
Third Roosevelt Letter
Sends another letter to Roosevelt concerning the need for effective action on uranium research.
United States Citizenship
Becomes a United States citizen while retaining Swiss citizenship.
1941
Einstein-Pauli Non-Singular Field Result
With Wolfgang Pauli, proves a restrictive result on non-singular stationary solutions of the relativistic gravitational field equations with nonzero total mass.
1945
Final Roosevelt Letter Prepared
Signs a letter drafted by Leo Szilard seeking a presidential meeting on nuclear policy; Roosevelt dies before receiving it.
Generalization of Relativistic Gravitation
Publishes a generalization of the relativistic theory of gravitation, continuing his attempt to construct a unified classical field theory extending general relativity.
Postwar Atomic Weapons Advocacy
After the atomic bombings, speaks publicly about the political and ethical dangers of nuclear weapons.
1946
Elementary Mass-Energy Derivation
Publishes an elementary derivation of the equivalence of mass and energy, revisiting one of the central physical consequences that emerged from special relativity.
General Field Theory Draft
Presents a new draft of field equations for his continuing general field theory program.
Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists
Helps form and chairs the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists to promote public education and international control.
1947
Atomic Scientists Public Education Campaign
Supports public education campaigns on atomic energy, disarmament and international control.
1948
Generalized Theory of Gravitation
Publishes a generalized theory of gravitation in Reviews of Modern Physics, presenting another stage of his sustained search for a unified geometric field theory.
Generalized Theory of Gravitation
Publishes a generalized theory of gravitation during his continuing search for a unified field theory.
1949
Response to Godel Rotating Universe
Comments on Kurt Godel's rotating cosmological solution, acknowledging that general relativity permits global spacetime structures with profound consequences for the concept of time.
Autobiographical Notes
Publishes Autobiographical Notes, reflecting on the development of his scientific ideas and philosophy.
Autobiographical Relativity Reconstruction
In his Autobiographical Notes, reconstructs the intellectual path from special relativity through the equivalence principle to general relativity and later unified-field research.
1950
Scientific American Generalized Gravitation Article
Explains his latest generalized theory of gravitation in Scientific American, placing the work within his long search for a unified foundation of field physics.
Later Unified Field Review
Presents and revises his mature attempts to construct a unified classical field theory.
Out of My Later Years
Publishes a collection of essays on science, society, philosophy and public affairs.
Revised English Relativity Edition
A revised English edition of his relativity exposition appears, updating the presentation of special and general relativity for a postwar scientific readership.
1951
Unified Field Equations Refinement
Refines asymmetric-field approaches intended to combine gravitation and electromagnetism.
1952
Presidency of Israel Declined
Declines the offer to become president of Israel, citing lack of aptitude and experience for official duties.
1953
Unified Field Theory Criticism Response
Publishes a response to criticism of unified field theory, defending the mathematical programme through which he hoped to extend relativistic field physics.
1954
Asymmetric Relativistic Field Algebra
With Bruria Kaufman, studies algebraic properties of the asymmetric field in a relativistic unified theory, refining the mathematical structure of his late programme.
1955
Death of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein dies in Princeton, New Jersey, aged 76.
Einstein-Kaufman General Relativistic Equations
With Bruria Kaufman, develops a new form of general relativistic field equations, one of the final technical products of Einstein's lifelong geometric programme.
Russell-Einstein Manifesto Signed
Signs Bertrand Russell's appeal warning of nuclear war and urging peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.