Thomas Stoltz Harvey and the Preservation of Albert Einstein's Brain
The intersection of genius and science often extends beyond a lifetime. For Thomas Stoltz Harvey, an American pathologist, this intersection became a lifelong obsession following the death of one of history's greatest minds. Harvey is best known for conducting the autopsy of Albert Einstein in 1955 and the subsequent, controversial preservation of the physicist's brain.
Born on October 10, 1912, in Louisville, Kentucky, Harvey pursued his medical education at Yale University. His early career was marked by a significant setback during his third year of medical school when he contracted tuberculosis. This illness left him bedridden in a sanatorium for a year, an experience he later described as one of the greatest disappointments of his life.
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The Autopsy of Albert Einstein
On April 18, 1955, at 8:00 am, Dr. Harvey performed the autopsy of Albert Einstein at Princeton Hospital. During the procedure, he recorded that Einstein's brain weighed 1,230 grams, a figure that falls within the normal range for human brains.
Following the autopsy, Harvey embarked on a meticulous process of preservation and analysis. In a laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, he spent three months sectioning the brain into 170 pieces. These sections were further sliced into microscopic slivers, stained, and mounted onto slides. In total, 12 sets of slides were created, each containing hundreds of individual slides. While Harvey distributed most of these sets to leading pathologists, he retained two complete sets for his own ongoing research.
The removal and preservation of the brain were initially conducted without the permission of Einstein or his family. However, upon learning of the study, the family granted permission to proceed, provided the findings were published exclusively in scientific journals and not sensationalized.
Key Facts
- Pathologist: Thomas Stoltz Harvey (1912–2007).
- Brain Weight: 1,230 grams.
- Processing: The brain was divided into 170 sections over three months.
- Key Finding: A statistically significant higher proportion of glial cells in the left inferior parietal area.
- Final Resting Place: The remains were transferred to the National Museum of Health and Medicine in 2010.
Scientific Analysis and the Role of Glial Cells
One of the most significant scientific contributions resulting from Harvey's preservation was the work of Dr. Marian Diamond. Diamond studied the ratio of glial cells—cells that provide support and nutrition to neurons, form myelin, and assist in signal transmission—relative to neurons.
By comparing Einstein's brain to 11 other male brains, Diamond's laboratory used 6-micrometer thin sections to count cells. The results indicated that Einstein's brain had a higher proportion of glial cells in all studied areas. Most notably, the difference was statistically significant in the left inferior parietal area, a part of the association cortex responsible for synthesizing information from various brain regions.
Diamond suggested that a stimulating environment, such as a life spent solving complex scientific problems, could increase the proportion of glial cells. However, the study faced criticism from researchers like S. S. Kantha and Terence Hines. Critics pointed out that glial cells continue to divide as a person ages; Einstein was 76 at death, while the control group averaged 64 years of age. Diamond countered that chronological age is not always a precise indicator of biological systems and noted that the control subjects had died from non-neurologically related diseases.
| Feature | Observation/Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Weight | 1,230 grams |
| Sectioning | 170 pieces |
| Significant Area | Left inferior parietal area (Association Cortex) |
| Cellular Finding | Higher ratio of glial cells to neurons |
| Control Group | 11 male brains (ages 47–80) |
The Odyssey of the Brain
For decades, the brain's location remained largely private. It wasn't until August 1978 that reporter Steven Levy revealed Harvey's possession of the brain in an article titled "I Found Einstein's Brain," while Harvey was working in Wichita, Kansas. Over the following years, Harvey moved between Kansas, Missouri, and eventually back to New Jersey.
In 1994, during the filming of the documentary Relics: Einstein's Brain, Harvey consented to give a portion of the brain-stem to Professor Sugimoto Kenji of Kinki University. In 1998, Harvey delivered the remaining uncut portion of the brain to Dr. Elliot Krauss at the University Medical Center at Princeton.
Thomas Harvey passed away on April 5, 2007, due to complications from a stroke. In 2010, his heirs transferred all remaining brain materials, including 14 previously unreleased photographs of the whole brain, to the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Albert Einstein's brain larger than average?
No. The brain weighed 1,230 grams, which is well within the normal human range.
What are glial cells and why were they important in this study?
Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that support and protect neurons, form myelin, and help transmit signals. Dr. Marian Diamond found that Einstein had a higher proportion of these cells in the left inferior parietal area, suggesting a possible link to his cognitive abilities.
Did Einstein's family authorize the removal of his brain?
Initially, no permission was given. However, once the family became aware of the study, they granted permission on the condition that the results were published in scientific journals and not sensationalized.
Where is Albert Einstein's brain now?
The remains of the brain and associated records were transferred to the National Museum of Health and Medicine in 2010.
What were the criticisms of Dr. Marian Diamond's research?
Critics argued that the sample size was too small (only one Einstein compared to 11 others) and that the age difference between Einstein (76) and the average age of the control group (64) could have influenced the glial cell count, as these cells continue to divide with age.