Albert Einstein known for his massive contributions to the science community is immortalized with a 12-foot bronze statue in Washington DC in front of the National Academy of Sciences. The Einstein Memorial features a large statue of Einstein holding a stack of papers in his left hand with his famous theory of relativity on it along with other scientific contributions.
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The statue was originally made in honor of Einstein’s 100th birthday on April 22, 1979.
Located directly in front of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) the seated Einstein stands 12 feet tall and weighs around 4 tons, so it is hard to miss from the street. You can easily find the Albert Einstein Memorial with a short walk from the Vietnam Veteran Memorial on Constitution Ave NW.
The large bronze statue’s design just begs for you to sit in Einstein’s lap for a quick photo.
The Story Behind the Einstein Memorial
The memorial was created by sculptor Robert Berks and unveiled on April 22, 1979, at the National Academy of Sciences annual meeting, marking 100 years since Einstein’s birth in 1879. Berks modeled Einstein’s face on a bust he had sculpted from life back in 1953, during a visit to Einstein’s home in Princeton, New Jersey.
The bronze figure weighs around 4 tons and stands 12 feet tall, seated on a bench of white granite. In his left hand he holds a paper with three equations that sum up his biggest contributions to physics: the photoelectric effect, the theory of general relativity, and the equivalence of energy and matter, better known as E=mc2.
The best detail is easy to walk right past. The dais Einstein sits on is a circular star map made from dark Norwegian granite, embedded with more than 2,700 metal studs. Astronomers at the Academy mapped it to show the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars exactly as they appeared at noon on the memorial’s dedication day. Three of Einstein’s quotes are carved into the bench behind him, and if you stand in the center of the map, the statue seems to look right at you.
Photos of the Einstein Memorial
Here are more of my photos of the Albert Einstein Memorial in front of the National Academy of Sciences, including close-up shots where you can see Albert Einstein’s nose that visitors often rub for luck. The classic move is climbing up into his lap, but it is worth getting low too, to catch the equations in his hand and the star map at his feet. The surrounding grove of trees keeps the statue shaded, so the light stays soft even in the middle of the day. People often share their photos with the hashtag #PhotosWithAlbert.
Planning a Visit to the Albert Einstein Memorial
The Einstein Memorial is accessible 24/7 off of Constitution Avenue. The statue of Albert Einstein is across the street from Vietnam Veterans Memorial so if you’re visiting the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall it’s a short walk away.
If you plan on taking the Metro to the Einstein Memorial there are a few stops near by including Foggy Bottom (0.7 mile) and Smithsonian (1.4 miles). Both stops are about a mile away so expect to walk a bit to get here.
Parking can be tough but there are typically spots on Constitution Ave or 22nd St. Most of the parking near the National Mall is paid via the ParkMobile app.
Of course you can also take a Capital Bikeshare bike or rent an electric scooter.
Albert Einstein Memorial on Google MapsFrequently Asked Questions about the Einstein Memorial
How tall is the Einstein statue?
The bronze statue of Einstein is 12 feet tall and weighs around 4 tons. Because he is shown seated, it still feels approachable up close even though it is much larger than life.
Who created the Einstein Memorial?
The memorial was sculpted by Robert Berks and unveiled in 1979. Berks based Einstein’s face on a bust he had modeled from life in 1953 at Einstein’s home in Princeton.
Can you sit on the Einstein statue?
Yes. The Einstein Memorial is one of the few statues in DC meant to be touched, and climbing up to sit in Einstein’s lap for a photo is encouraged. Look for the hashtag #PhotosWithAlbert.
What are the equations on the paper Einstein is holding?
The paper in his left hand shows three equations representing the photoelectric effect, the theory of general relativity, and the equivalence of energy and matter (E=mc2).
What is the star map at the base of the memorial?
The dais is a circular star map embedded with more than 2,700 metal studs that mark the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars as they appeared on the memorial’s dedication day, April 22, 1979.
Is the Einstein Memorial free to visit?
Yes. The memorial sits on the front lawn of the National Academy of Sciences and is free and accessible 24 hours a day. The NAS building itself is open to visitors on weekdays.
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Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my photos and guide to the Albert Einstein Memorial in Washington DC. Since it’s a lesser known memorial it’s typically not busy from my experience. You will occasionally see school trips drop off a bus of people to the memorial.
