Henry James · Albert Einstein Were Henry James and Albert Einstein alive at the same time? Yes. Henry James and Albert Einstein were alive at the same time for 36 years, from 1879 to 1916. Henry James was 35 when Albert Einstein was born.Albert Einstein was 36 when Henry James died, aged 72. Henry JamesAmerican and British writerBorn 15 April 1843 · died 28 February 1916, aged 72Albert EinsteinGerman-born theoretical physicistBorn 14 March 1879 · died 18 April 1955, aged 76 Abraham LincolnKarl MarxHenry JamesAlbert EinsteinAdolf HitlerRonald ReaganDonald TrumpVladimir Putin Henry James and Albert Einstein in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.