81. Einstein, Albert. Autograph letter signed (“A.E.”), 1 page (8.5 x 11 in.; 216 x 279 mm.), dated 21 December 1937. Writing in German to his first wife Mileva Maric. A Serbian mathematician, Mileva was accepted to the Zurich Polytechnic to become the only woman in the physics and mathematics department, where she met her future husband. She gave up her academic ambitions upon marriage to Einstein, and contributed to his groundbreaking scientific work. Although they had three children together, their marriage was an unhappy one and they divorced in 1919, but remained on friendly terms. Slight toning on edges; otherwise, fine.

Writing to his first wife Mileva in Zurich, Einstein makes provisions for the continued financial support of his sons, even though the “splendid Germans” (as he facetiously calls them) have seized most of his assets in Europe.

Einstein writes in full: Dear Mileva! Thank you for your last letter. I increased the monthly payments for Tedel to make your life a little easier. I also paid for Albert’s entire journey through the United States, which required a large sum of money. I do not think he will find something immediately. But he made himself known here, and he has made a lot of personal connections that could be meaningful later on. We have another depression here, which is problematic for Albert’s prospects. Albert has made me very happy. He is a real man now, confident and yet modest. We played much music together. Everyone likes him, and he was very welcome here. (It is just a shame that he has this spouse. But as he is happy with her, there is nothing else to criticize about this.) This summer, I made my will, with the help of an attorney and very carefully. If I still live for a few more years, at least Tedel will be somewhat taken care of, under the condition that there will not be another large financial depression. A few years ago all of the savings that I had built up for the children were stolen by those splendid Germans, and the Swiss did not say anything to help me. This has been somewhat corrected by now. With great sorrow, I learned about the death of the superb Dr. Zuercher. I include a letter for his spouse. With best wishes, yours A.E.

In 1896, Einstein met his future wife, Mileva Maric. His first daughter, Lieserl, was born in 1902, one year before his marriage to Mileva on 6 January 1903. His first son, Hans Albert, was born 14 May 1904. Eventually, Hans became a Professor of Engineering at Univ. of California at Berkeley (d. in 1973 in Berkeley). His second son, Eduard [‘Tede’’or ‘Tedel’], was born 28 July 1910. Einstein’s nickname for the two boys was “the little bears.” It was said that Eduard inherited his father’s facial traits and musical talent, and from his mother a tendency toward melancholy. Eduard wanted to be a psychiatrist and even studied medicine, though he did not reach his goal. Rather early on in his life, his father recognized signs of dementia praecox. After much vicissitude, Eduard was institutionalized at the psychiatric in Zurich, where he died in 1965. Proceeds from his Nobel Prize were given to Mileva, but medical costs soon exhausted the substantial award. Here, with the hope that he will “still live a few more years” (and indeed, the revered physicist lived for nearly another twenty), Einstein dutifully provides for his son in making out his last will and testament.
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