Did Albert Einstein think that he was a better mathematician than Sir Issac Newton?
No. And no.
First of all, Einstein made it clear that he wasn’t a mathematician at all. He often used to complain about his own difficulties with mathematics and gave great credit to his old friend, Michele Besso, who, along with Marcel Grossman (thank you Deepankar), helped him with the math he needed. Besso and Grossman were both Swiss mathematicians. Besso, the closer friend, was actually a brilliant engineer. Grossman helped Einstein with tensor calculus. Theirs was a more formal collaboration. It good to have friends.
Secondly, Einstein always valued and spoke highly of Isaac Newton. He considered Newton the master. He felt deeply indebted to Newton’s breakthroughs. Whenever he compared himself to Newton, he did so humbly to emphasize how much he owed Newton.
You didn't ask, but it should be added that Einstein didn’t seek notoriety. He was a quiet man who preferred solitude. He wasn’t about blowing his own horn.
Finally, Einstein was fundamentally humble. He wasn’t lacking for self confidence, especially in his early years. But whenever people fawned over his genius, he looked for ways to be self deprecating. He was embarrassed by the accolades.
Einstein would have considered this question as very, very silly.
No. And no.
First of all, Einstein made it clear that he wasn’t a mathematician at all. He often used to complain about his own difficulties with mathematics and gave great credit to his old friend, Michele Besso, who, along with Marcel Grossman (thank you Deepankar), helped him with the math he needed. Besso and Grossman were both Swiss mathematicians. Besso, the closer friend, was actually a brilliant engineer. Grossman helped Einstein with tensor calculus. Theirs was a more formal collaboration. It good to have friends.
Secondly, Einstein always valued and spoke highly of Isaac Newton. He considered Newton the master. He felt deeply indebted to Newton’s breakthroughs. Whenever he compared himself to Newton, he did so humbly to emphasize how much he owed Newton.
You didn't ask, but it should be added that Einstein didn’t seek notoriety. He was a quiet man who preferred solitude. He wasn’t about blowing his own horn.
Finally, Einstein was fundamentally humble. He wasn’t lacking for self confidence, especially in his early years. But whenever people fawned over his genius, he looked for ways to be self deprecating. He was embarrassed by the accolades.
Einstein would have considered this question as very, very silly.