Step 1. Identify the scientist. The theory of relativity was given by Albert Einstein, a German born physicist.
Step 2. In 1905 he published the special theory of relativity. This theory deals with objects that move at constant speed, including speeds close to the speed of light \(c\). It rests on two ideas: the laws of physics are the same for all observers moving at constant velocity, and the speed of light in vacuum is the same for every observer.
Step 3. In 1915 he extended this work into the general theory of relativity. This theory explains gravity not as a pulling force but as the bending of space and time caused by mass and energy.
Step 4. One well known result of this work is the mass energy relation \(E = mc^2\), which shows that mass can be converted into energy and energy into mass.
Answer. Albert Einstein gave the theory of relativity.