Slices of Einstein's brain are on DISPLAY in Philadelphia...after pathologist took it without permission

  • The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, is the only place in the world where people can view Einstein’s grey matter
  • Einstein died at Princeton Hospital in New Jersey on April 18 1955
  • At that time, the pathologist Thomas Harvey is believed to have taken Einstein’s brain, without permission, and sliced it up
  • Harvey was believed to have taken Einstein's brain to the University of Pennsylvania where slides of the scientist’s brain were created and sent to well-known neuropathologists

By Caters News Agency

Published: | Updated:

Sixty years after the great scientist's death, slices of Einstein's brain remain on display at only one location open to the public.

The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, is the only place in the world where people can view Einstein's grey matter.

When Einstein died at Princeton Hospital in New Jersey on April 18 1955 the pathologist, Thomas Harvey, is believed to have taken Einstein's brain, without permission, and sliced it up.

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Rare find: Sixty years after the great scientists death, slices of Einsteins brain remain on display at only one location open to the public -- The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rare find: Sixty years after the great scientists death, slices of Einsteins brain remain on display at only one location open to the public -- The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas Harvey, is believed to have taken Einstein's brain, without permission, and sliced it up. Harvey. who died in 2007, is seen with Einstein's brain in 1994

Thomas Harvey, is believed to have taken Einstein's brain, without permission, and sliced it up. Harvey. who died in 2007, is seen with Einstein's brain in 1994

Einstein told his biographer he wanted to be cremated 'so people don’t come worship at my bones.'

But after a private ceremony, where the scientist's ashes were scattered into the Delaware River, it was revealed that his brain and eyes were not included.

Harvey was believed to have taken Einstein’s brain to the University of Pennsylvania where slides of the scientist's brain were created and sent to well-known neuropathologists.

In November 2011, the Mutter Museum, which contains some of America's most fascinating medical exhibits, received a call about obtaining one of the boxes Harvey created.

The 46 microscope slides, each containing slices of the brain, are still on display today, among 20,000 other items that the museum possesses.

Anna Dhody, the curator of The Mutter Museum and Director of the Mutter Institute, said: 'These slides are the only physical pieces of Albert Einstein on permanent display to the public.

'Einstein's brain continues to fascinate and stir debate about the nature of genius.'

Thomas Harvey
Albert Einstein

Pathologist Thomas Harvey (seen in 1955) was believed to have taken the brain of Albert Einstein (seen in brain to the University of Pennsylvania where slides of the scientist's brain were created and sent to well-known neuropathologists

Discovery: Pathologist Thomas Harvey was believed to have taken Einstein’s brain to the University of Pennsylvania where slides of the scientist's brain were created and sent to well-known neuropathologists

Discovery: Pathologist Thomas Harvey was believed to have taken Einstein’s brain to the University of Pennsylvania where slides of the scientist's brain were created and sent to well-known neuropathologists

 

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