A collection of five letters dated 1951 to 1954 written by Albert Einstein to quantum physicist David Bohm is being auctioned next week by Winner’s Auctions in Jerusalem. Bohm was a colleague of Einstein’s who fled to Brazil in 1951 to avoid testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
According to Winner’s, the letters express Einstein’s intimate views on God, McCarthyism and the fledgling Jewish State.
In one of the letters, Einstein writes that renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer’s remark is characteristic of the present mood in the US, and it reminds him of Germany during the reign of German Emperor Wilhelm II (who started WWI). Niemeyer, a declared Communist, sheltered some party activists in his office after they had been released from jail.
Einstein also notes in the same letter that he had recently published comments regarding the interpretation of theory in a volume published in Paris in honor of French physicist Louis de Broglie ‘s sixtieth birthday, and in a number of pages in the Born volume, a copy of which he had sent to Bohm a week earlier.
In another letter, Einstein notes that he is happy to hear about developments in Bohm’s affairs and offers to help him however he can. He also writes that “If God has created the world his primary worry was certainly not to make its understanding easy for us. I’ve felt this strongly for fifty years.”
A third letter, written in 1954, from Prof. Einstein to Prof. David Bohm discusses the frustration felt by isolated intellectuals, investment in research and development and employment opportunities for scientists in Israel.
In the typewritten letter, signed by Einstein with corrections in his handwriting, he discusses Bohm’s frustrations, specifically in regards to his stomach issues and the lack of an intellectual environment in Sao Paulo. Einstein empathizes with Bohm’s feelings and understands why Bohm is interested in moving: “The first difficulty could be overcome by a reliable cook, but not the second one. Therefore I can understand now why you so eagerly wish to escape from there.”
Einstein suggests that Bohm wait to receive Brazilian citizenship, because he does not foresee a quick change in the political approach to Bohm on the part of his native country, the US. Einstein suggests that a rule that applies to the stock market is also applicable to university life – don’t show that you’re desperate for a position, so that your value doesn’t fall in the eyes of the employer. “What is offered for sale is falling in price,” Einstein quips.
He also suggests that Bohm publish articles in the countries to which he is interested in moving. In regards to Israel, Einstein notes that Israel is an interesting, intellectual creature, but has limited opportunities. It would be a shame to move there with the intention of leaving at the first possible opportunity.
He also agrees with Bohm’s fears regarding Ireland. Therefore, despite Einstein’s empathy with Bohm’s frustrations, he suggests that the best thing to do right now would be to wait patiently and enjoy life in Brazil as much as he can. Einstein is surprised that the Brazilian government is not making serious efforts to encourage higher studies which is an absolute necessity for the technological development of the country; in contrast with the Japanese approach of the 19th century.
Prof. David Joseph Bohm (1917-1992) moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil after being suspended from Princeton University and was appointed Head of Physics in Sao Paulo University. As Einstein’s letter indicates, Sao Paulo lacked the intellectual environment appropriate for Bohm’s studies and he wished to leave the country. Despite Einstein’s suggestions, Bohm moved to be a visiting Professor at the Technion in Israel, and two years later moved to England where he worked in the universities of Bristol and London.