Often compared to Albert Einstein for the originality of his work, Edward Witten is a mathematical physicist whose primary field of research is string theory (introduced by physicist Gabriele Veneziano in 1968). His efforts to develop string theory into a unified "theory of everything" that would explain the fundamental workings of the universe have been among the most successful so far. Many scientists agree that Witten is leading the revival of the traditional symbiosis between mathematics and physics, which had become two virtually separate fields by the 1950s. However, he has many critics among physicists who believe that Witten's extensive use of mathematics in a traditional arena of physics is inappropriate.

Witten, born on August 26, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, is the son of a gravitational physicist and emeritus professor at the University of Cincinnati. As a preschooler, Witten reportedly enjoyed discussing physics with his father. He received his early education...