By way of analogy, in music -- Bach used the exotic sounding augmented 6th chord many years before Beethoven, (who also used it occasionally,) then Wagner used it in a different way in Tristan und Isolde and revolutionized music yet again.

Concepts of mass/energy (as well as relativity) predate Einstein. But Einstein used these and other concepts to create staggeringly original and relevant theories that are testable and observable in nature.

Though Einstein was not infallible, his deserved stature and fame as a popular icon in the national conscious still draws criticism ranging from simple critical analysis of his theories, to irrational envy, to darker ulterior motives based on his ethnic, political, or religious affiliations.