Albert Einstein: 1879-1955

By the end of his life in 1955, Einstein had faded from the public scene, but his insights into the workings of the universe were continuing to transform the world. An unfinished statement for Israeli Independence Day found at the time of his death read, "What I seek to accomplish is simply to serve with my feeble capacity truth and justice at the risk of pleasing no one."

• Person of the Century: Albert Einstein