Indeed, Einstein is perhaps the best example of exactly that independence of thought. Even regarding his own theories. He was often at odds with other physicists, particularly the Copenhagen school of quantum mechanics, and never (afaik) abandoned his method of ontological consideration of physics and cosmology, which pretty much makes Schrodingers cat impossible.
At the tail end of his career he was regarded as irrelevant by the young turks of cosmology, but had begun to regard de Broglie/Bohm Pilot Wave Theory as not only a better explanation of quantum physics, but completely ontologically consistent with Classical Physics.
I have often yearned for such fresh considerations of cosmology, particularly as string theory, the multiverse, and Schrodinger's Cat continue to pose ontological impossibities. Too many physicists just follow the grants, and to Hell with independent thought.