Sculptor and painter Albert W. Wein was born on July 27, 1915, to Elsa Meher Wein, herself a painter and a teacher the Maryland Institute of Fine and Applied Arts. Wein began attending classes there at the age of twelve. In 1929, when his family moved to New York, he enrolled at the National Academy of Design where he studied under Ivan Olinsky. Three years later he enrolled at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design, an American arts and architecture school that followed the curiculum of the France's Beaux-Arts schools, where he was introduced to sculpting. He also took painting classes from prominent Modernist Hans Hoffman, who greatly influenced Wein stylistic path.

From 1934 to 1942 he was a member of the WPA's Federal Art Project , through which he found employment as a sculptor and painter. A wood relief, created in 1942, titled "Growth" was installed at the Frankfort, NY post office. He also found work as a theater and television set designer. In 1947, he was awarded the Rome Prize, allowing him to attend the American Academy in Rome for two years. During this time he participated in the 3rd Sculpture International held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Upon his return to the United States in 1950 he was already a sought-after sculptor. Before long he was offered commissions for monuments and memorials, garden sculpture, architectural elements, and works in glass for the Steuben Glass Company. He was a member of the National Sculpture Society and the Society of Medallists. In 1955 he relocated to California. He was commissioned to create several works for synangogues and private collectors, and in the late 1950s he took up set design once more, this time as art director for the Ernie Kovacs show. In 1964 he took a course in lithography at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he created a small series of works with the help of his wife, Denya. It would be the only time that Wein worked in lithography. 

Wein returned once more to New York in 1964, settling in Westchester County. He was elected Academician of the National Academy of Design and a fellow of the National Sculpture Society. A prolific artist and exhibitor, Wein created over 500 sculptures and 300 paintings over the course of his career, and his dedication led to several awards in both classical and modern works of art. 

Wein died in Ossining, New York on March 30, 1991