Following its dissection, Albert Einstein's brain was returned to his heirs who then donated it to the Mütter Medical Museum in Philadelphia.
The Journey of Einstein's Brain
After Albert Einstein's death in 1955, pathologist Thomas Harvey controversially removed and preserved his brain for scientific study. Harvey dissected the brain into pieces and stored it. According to Frederick Lepore's 2018 book, Finding Einstein's Brain, a significant portion of the preserved brain was stored by Harvey in a jar within a cider box.
Over the years, parts of the brain were distributed for research. However, the core preserved portions had a specific fate.
Final Resting Place
As detailed in the referenced information:
- The dissected brain was ultimately returned to the Einstein heirs.
- The heirs promptly donated it to the Mütter Medical Museum in Philadelphia.
This act ensured that significant portions of the famous scientist's brain would be housed in a public collection for educational and historical purposes.
Here is a summary of the final step:
| Recipient | Action Taken | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Einstein Heirs | Received the brain | N/A |
| Mütter Museum | Received donation | Philadelphia, PA, USA |
Legacy and Preservation
The donation to the Mütter Museum allows the public and researchers to view and study slides containing sections of Einstein's brain, continuing its unique journey beyond his lifetime. The museum holds dozens of slides prepared from different areas of the brain.
This sequence of events highlights the complex history of the preservation and fate of one of the 20th century's most studied biological specimens.
