Gauge-invariant observables for quantum gravity are described, with explicit
constructions given in linearized gravity analogous to and extending
constructions first given by Dirac in quantum electrodynamics. These can be
thought of as operators that create a particle, together with its inseparable
gravitational field, and reduce to usual field operators of quantum field
theory in the weak-gravity limit; they include both Wilson-line operators, and
those creating a Coulombic field configuration. We also describe operators
creating the field of a particle in motion; as in the electromagnetic case,
these are expected to help address infrared problems. An important
characteristic of the quantum theory of gravity is the algebra of its
observables. We show that the commutators of the simple observables of this
paper are nonlocal, with nonlocality becoming significant in strong field
regions, as predicted previously on general grounds.