Albert Einstein Would Rather Not Talk About It

1921

A. EINSTEIN'S WIFE UNDERSTAND HIM BUT NOT HIS THEORIES OF RELATIVITY

Written by Margery Rex, for International News Service

NEW YORK, April 21 — What is his life like?

How often we say that of a man in the public eye! Everyone wonders what kind of woman interests and holds the affection of a great man — everyone is curious as to the characteristics of the one he has chosen as his helpmate.

The world wants to know whether the genius has married a woman in sympathy with his ideals or opposed to them, whether she likes the things that interest him or not; where she mothers him or brothers him.

I called upon Professor Albert Einstein and attempted to discuss with him his theory of "relativity." Professor Einstein, although a discoverer of revolutionary scientific theories which tend to obliterate time and space, a distinguished physicist and lecturer is a member of the Zionist delegation headed by Dr. Chaim Weizmann which is here to offer the consideration of Jews in America plans for a great university to be erected in Jerusalem.

Stops Talking About Theories

A gracious and charming little woman met the writer at the door and begged her to desist at least from attempts at "relativity" with its discoverer.

"My husband" — it was Mrs. Einstein who spoke — "is so overwrought with requests for discussions that he has decided not to say any more about his theories, that is, for the present.

Just then Mr. Einstein came forward. Tall, suave in manner with high forehead and mop of black hair as his only professional symptoms, the scientist looked at his wife questionably and was told what was up.

The two made a vivid contrast of appearance. Mrs. Einstein is of medium stature, with light brown hair and gray eyes, a well poised woman who combines dignity with a pleasant vivacity of manner. her dark brown frock of satin and velvet, trimmed with martin fur bands, belies the frequent assumption that the learned and their near of kin effect the dowdy and careless in dress.

Einstein is a great Jewish personage, as well as a distinguished physicist. He is actively interested in the university plan, according to his wife, who speaks English fluently and who acted as interpreter.

"In Europe, in the far east," she translated for me from her husband's statement, "there are so many Jewish families who are without homes. Their children have great potentialities. Their young men need an institution where education can be offered them. Hence this plan to establish a university in Jerusalem. Poor students now have no place to study and if help is not given will be unfitted for life.

"As for the outbreaks of anti-Jewish sentiment, of which we learn here and there at times my husband believes they are caused by the passions let loose by war, the hatred of nation against nation, race against race."

Respects Woman's Intelligence

Professor Einstein stood at the window whence he looked west over Forty-second street, great thoroughfare where traffic dashes along against time and where skyscrapers seem to defy all natural laws.

Mrs. Einstein smiled and repeated that we had a small chance of getting the professor to discuss his theory.

"Perhaps he thinks a woman wouldn't be really interested enough to understand?" And she translated this for him.

Vehement denial from the scientist followed.

"No, he doesn't agree with that," Mrs. Einstein said. "He thinks women are the equal of men in understanding. It is simply that he can't give time enough to explain it to you."

"I myself can't comprehend it, and I think few women can," she admitted. "No, I am not a scientist. I believe two scientists could marry though and live happily, but such is not the case with our marriage.

"I am just a wife, my husband likes a rest when he comes home — he has enough science elsewhere," she laughed, and was compelled by the discoverer of "relativity" to translate again.

The Einsteins have two grown daughters in Europe, Margot and Ilsa. Mrs. Einstein is a cousin of her present husband and her maiden name was Ilsa Einstein.

Professor Einstein is not a one-sided person, all of whose energies are bent in one direction. He is an accomplished violinist, and he adds yachting to his hobbies, being a keen sportsman.

Their family circle is not a small one by any means, since it includes two sons of the scientist by a former marriage. Both the physicist and his wife are citizens of Switzerland.

The fame that visited them almost "overnight" as European journals have described it, and which has made them citizens of the world, nevertheless, has left them unassuming and unfailingly good humored, despite the various demands Fame has brought them.

—The Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, April 22, 1921, page 16.