Recently named "person of the century", Einstein(1879-1955) is probably the most recognized scientist in the world. Most remembered for his Theory of Relativity, Einstein developed a new way of looking at problems in theoretical physics.

The statue is one of the most popular in Washington, particularly with school groups. The relaxed, informal pose of Einstein lends itself to great group photos and it's one of the few statues for which no one will yell at you if you climb in his lap.

Einstein is contemplating a map of the universe as he knew it, made of black granite with some 2,400 steel studs representing the heavenly bodies. The statue sits on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences.