56 years ago today, on on April 18, 1955, Albert Einstein died of heart failure. Life magazine photographer Ralph Morse was, according to the legendary publication, the only photographer allowed to attend and document his funeral and cremation, though most of the photos Morse took were never published at the request of Einstein’s son — until today that is.
Yes, Life has published today on its websites the photos that Morse, “armed with his camera and a case of scotch — to open doors and loosen tongues,” captured. You can view them all here. Now let’s all hope too lead lives significant enough that the press aspires to photograph our cremations!