Einstein, Edwin, 1842-1905

Edwin Einstein (November 18, 1842 – January 24, 1905) was an American businessman and politician. He served as the U.S. Representative from New York's 7th congressional district during the Forty-sixth Congress (1879-1881).

Born in Cincinnati and raised in New York City, Einstein worked as clerk in a store and received a collegiate training in the College of the City of New York. He entered Union College, but did not graduate. After leaving college, he continued in mercantile pursuits, eventually going into a partnership with Louis Hirschhorn founding a cigar manufacturing business named Hirschhorn & Einstein. He was elected as a Republican to the Forty-sixth Congress, and served from March 4, 1879 to March 3, 1881. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1880.

After leaving Congress, Einstein was prominently identified with a number of investment companies and woolen factories. At various times, he served as president of New River Mineral Company, director of Alabama Mineral Land Company, director of Raritan Woolen Mills, and trustee of Texas Pacific Land Trust. He was the Republican nominee for Mayor of New York in 1892, losing to Thomas F. Gilroy. He served as Dock Commissioner of New York City in 1895. Einstein died of heart trouble, in Manhattan, New York County, New York. He is interred at Beth Olom Cemetery, Glendale, Queens, New York.