Was Einstein knowledge on science all by his own

[rajeshmarndi]

Einstein education was just formal , then how did he got to know all about current research at his time. So did he studied all by his own?

 

[NTW]

Scientific journals existed...

 

[phinds]

What do you mean "just formal". Do you have some belief that "formal" education does not include keeping up with what is current?

 

[jtbell]

In today's terminology, when Einstein wrote his famous papers in 1905, he was an "ABD" = "All But Dissertation". That is, he had completed the studies for a Ph.D. and needed only to submit a dissertation. It meant that he was acquainted with the scientific literature of the day, as published in dead-tree / dead-cow format and available in his university library.

 

[rajeshmarndi]

I mean without talking to experts i.e did he had any friend who was an expert with whom he could clear any doubts. Or he used to clear all his doubts just by studying on his own.

 

[NTW]

I mean without talking to experts i.e did he had any friend who was an expert with whom he could clear any doubts. Or he used to clear all his doubts just by studying on his own.

Michele Besso was a close friend, and a good mathematician. The GTR was written with his collaboration, but that was in 1915/16. But the four important papers that Einstein wrote in 1905, his 'Wunderjahr', were apparently completely original. There has been, however, some speculation with the possibility that his wife, Mileva Maric, might have helped him...

 

[jtbell]

At the end of his 1905 special-relativity paper is the following (in translation):

In conclusion I wish to say that in working at the problem here dealt with I have had the loyal assistance of my friend and colleague M. Besso, and that I am indebted to him for several valuable suggestions.

 

[rajeshmarndi]

That is, before einstein first paper if I am right in 1900, he was independently investigating and had been keeping watch on latest scientific finding with his friends. Even independently he was able to understood them well and solve them as well.