Books and Manuscripts

Einstein, Albert
Typed Letter, signed
Princeton, New Jersey, February 15, 1935. Single sheet, 11 x 8 1/2 in. (279 x 216 mm). One-page typed letter in German, signed by Albert Einstein to Reverend of Brooklyn's All Souls Universalist Church and autograph collector, Cornelius Greenway, informing him that he will not be able to attend a celebration at the Church, but praising him for his work. Creasing from contemporary folds, small tear in center left edge.

Dear Sir,

Despite being overloaded with work and duties, I was hoping to be able to attend you celebration, because working for peace and humanity is particularly important at this time, and I know that you have always used your best efforts to achieve this. Unfortunately, my obligations are holding me back here.

May your celebration tomorrow help revive the spirit of true humanity, freed from the narrow-minded political bias of our time. Only with the new spirit can people overcome the serious economic and political dangers that not only affect their well-being, but also the very existence of nations.

With my very best,
A. Einstein"

Less than two years after his renunciation of German citizenship and the confiscation of his property by the Nazis, Albert Einstein writes from his new home in Princeton, New Jersey, to the Reverend of Brooklyn's All Souls Universalist Church, Cornelius Greenway (1896-1968). Einstein praises the latter's work for “peace and humanity” and hopes that he may “revive the spirit of true humanity, free from the narrow-minded political bias of our time” in order to “overcome the serious economic and political dangers that not only affect their well-being, but also the very existence of nations.”

Unfortunately, as Einstein informs Greenway, his “duties”, at Princeton and the Institute for Advanced Study, “are holding me back” from attending Greenway's Church celebration. It is likely that, amongst other things, the “work and duties” Einstein makes reference to are preparations for his, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen's work on quantum theory that would be published in the May 15, 1935 issue of Physical Review--“Can Quantum Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?” By the end of the year Einstein would take up permanent residency in Princeton at 112 Mercer Street. 

A fine letter.