Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds in history, is remembered not only for his groundbreaking contributions to physics but also for some unusual events surrounding his death. One of the more bizarre and lesser-known facts is about the fate of his eyes after he passed away in 1955.
Removal Without Permission
After Einstein’s death on April 18, 1955, at Princeton Hospital in New Jersey, an unexpected and controversial act took place. Dr. Thomas Stoltz Harvey, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, removed Einstein’s brain and eyes without obtaining permission from Einstein’s family. This action sparked decades of debate and ethical questions.
While the removal of Einstein’s brain eventually became famous — with parts of it being studied by scientists in hopes of understanding the secret behind his genius — the story of his eyes is equally fascinating but less widely discussed.
Eyes Given to Einstein’s Eye Doctor
After the autopsy, the eyes were entrusted to Einstein’s longtime eye doctor, Dr. Henry Abrams. Dr. Abrams reportedly stored Einstein’s eyes in a small, secure box, which he kept in a bank safe deposit box in New York City. This unusual choice was presumably made to ensure that the eyes were preserved respectfully and securely.
Dr. Abrams, who lived until 2009, rarely spoke publicly about the eyes, maintaining a sense of privacy and discretion regarding this unusual responsibility. The safe deposit box reportedly remained in his possession during his lifetime.
Current Whereabouts Unknown
Despite the historical documentation of the eyes’ removal and storage, the current location of Einstein’s eyes remains a mystery. After Dr. Abrams passed away in 2009, no public records have clarified who inherited the safe deposit box or where the eyes might be today. The mystery has become part of the folklore surrounding Einstein’s legacy.
Ethical Considerations and Public Fascination
The story raises important ethical questions about post-mortem rights and the treatment of a person’s remains. Einstein’s family reportedly was never fully comfortable with the removal and retention of his brain and eyes without consent.
Yet, this odd fact continues to capture public imagination and has been the subject of articles, documentaries, and exhibitions exploring the complex relationship between science, ethics, and celebrity.
Sources
- Untapped Cities: “What Happened to Einstein’s Eyeballs?”
- Smithsonian Magazine: “The Brain of Albert Einstein”
- Obituary for Henry Abrams: NJ.com