The doctor, Thomas Harvey, kept Albert Einstein's brain because he believed it held the key to understanding the genius of the renowned physicist. He felt that studying the brain's structure and composition could reveal insights into Einstein's extraordinary intellect.
Harvey, a pathologist at Princeton Hospital, performed the autopsy on Einstein after his death in 1955. Without the consent of Einstein's family, he removed and preserved the brain, intending to study it. He later sliced the brain into 240 blocks, which he photographed and distributed to other researchers.
Harvey's actions were controversial, and he faced criticism for his lack of ethical consideration and for the lack of scientific rigor in his initial research. However, his actions have also allowed for decades of ongoing research into the brain of one of history's greatest minds.
While Harvey's initial research yielded little conclusive evidence, modern scientists have continued to study the preserved brain using advanced techniques. They have found that Einstein's brain had a higher density of neurons in certain areas, particularly in the region associated with mathematical reasoning. These findings, while preliminary, provide intriguing glimpses into the unique structure of Einstein's brain.
Harvey's controversial decision to keep Einstein's brain has sparked debate about the ethics of scientific research and the value of preserving human tissue. It also highlights the enduring fascination with the mysteries of the human brain and the quest to understand the roots of genius.
