I don't think Einstein was underrated. I'm a fanboy who has been reading his biographies since elementary school. But even so, his prominence as an icon seems

I don't think Einstein was underrated. I'm a fanboy who has been reading his biographies since elementary school. But even so, his prominence as an icon seems to even outweigh his accomplishments. He has become one of the recognizable figures in human civilization, previously attained by only religious figures. His fame is somehow Christ-like. He's the figurehead of the religion (my religion) of science, overshadowing even Darwin, Newton and Aristotle. I think we can blame this excess on the combination of his unique persona and his accomplishments. He was somehow striking and goofy and warm and wise, personable, a walking breathing scientist meme. If not for that charisma, he'd be just another great among many to the zeitgeist.