Einstein’s eyes, along with his brain, were indeed taken without authorization during his autopsy. The doctor responsible for this act was Thomas Harvey, who was the pathologist in charge of examining Einstein’s body after his death in 1955. Harvey saw an opportunity to acquire Einstein’s brain for scientific research and decided to take it without the consent of Einstein’s family or the appropriate authorities.
However, it is not widely known that Harvey also took Einstein’s eyes during the autopsy. Instead of keeping them for himself, he gave them to Einstein’s former eye doctor, Henry Abrams. Abrams, who had been treating Einstein for various eye conditions, received the eyes as a token of appreciation or perhaps as a macabre keepsake.
To this day, Einstein’s eyes remain in the possession of Abrams’ family and are kept in a safety deposit box in New York City. The exact location of the box has not been disclosed publicly, likely to protect the privacy and security of these unusual artifacts.
The decision to keep Einstein’s eyes may seem peculiar, but it is not entirely unprecedented. Throughout history, there have been instances where body parts or personal items of notable figures have been preserved as mementos or for scientific study. While some may find it unsettling or unethical, others argue that these preserved remains can provide valuable insights into the life and health of these individuals.
It is worth noting that the preservation of Einstein’s eyes does not serve any significant scientific purpose. Unlike his brain, which has been studied extensively to understand the unique neural structure behind his exceptional intellect, his eyes hold no such potential for scientific discovery. Therefore, their preservation appears to be more of a personal or sentimental gesture by Abrams and his family.
The decision to keep such personal and private possessions raises ethical questions about consent, privacy, and the handling of human remains. While it is understandable that individuals may be curious about the physical remnants of notable figures, it is essential to approach the subject with respect and sensitivity.
Einstein’s eyes were taken during his autopsy by the doctor performing the procedure, Thomas Harvey. They were later given to Einstein’s former eye doctor, Henry Abrams, who passed them down to his family. These eyes are currently stored in a safety deposit box in New York City, remaining as an unusual and controversial keepsake of one of history’s greatest minds.