Final answer:
Albert Einstein, born in Ulm, Germany in 1879, was a good student despite challenges with the educational style of the time. He graduated from the Federal Polytechnic Institute in Zurich and became an examiner at the Swiss Patent Office before gaining fame for his groundbreaking work in physics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early life of Albert Einstein is quite intriguing and defies some of the myths that are commonly believed. Einstein was born in 1879 in Ulm, Germany, and contrary to popular belief, was not a poor student. His challenges were more a consequence of his reaction to the authoritarian teaching styles of the time rather than a lack of aptitude. After completing his education at the Federal Polytechnic Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, Einstein initially struggled to find employment. Despite the challenge, he secured a position as an examiner at the Swiss Patent Office, which afforded him the time to delve into his own theoretical work. His perseverance paid off when he authored four revolutionary papers in 1905, and later, his general theory of relativity in 1916, leading to international acclaim following the empirical confirmation during a 1919 eclipse.