Albert Meets America: How Journalists Treated Genius during Einstein's 1921 Travels

13 Princeton Hears Einstein Explain (May 9–14)

Friday, April 8 Professor to Deliver Five Lectures in Princeton University Special Telegram to Public Ledger PRINCETON, N.J., April 8.—Prof. Albert Einstein, of the University of Berlin, will give a series of five lectures at Princeton University, beginning on Monday, May 9. The professor will be the guest of the university during his stay here. In all probability scientists of other universities will be asked to attend the lectures. The lectures, which will be the fullest account of the theory of relativity ever presented in America, will be delivered in German, and will be interpreted for the audience. The Public Ledger (Philadelphia), April 9, p. 3. President John Grier Hibben asked Einstein through Paul Warburg whether Einstein would think it useful to take the lectures in Princeton in shorthand.62 The problem was aggravated because “Dr. Einstein speaks practically no English, although some French,” as Gano Dunn wrote to OswaldVeblen,professor of mathematics at Princeton University. The organizers hoped that Dunn would know where to find a German stenographer. “I don’t know of any expert German stenographers,” Dunn answered,“but I have heard several of Dr. Einstein ’s lectures . . . and I have also talked to him a good deal and recognize that his diction and enunciation are unusually clear and simple, rendering a stenographer’s work much easier than in the case of most German speaking individuals.”63 13 Princeton Hears Einstein Explain ) President Hibben was of the opinion that the published lectures would sell well and offered Einstein a 15 percent royalty.64 Friday, April 22 Lecture by Professor Einstein . . . Princeton University has arranged five lectures on the theory of relativity on the afternoons from May 9 to 13, the subject of these lectures, which will be delivered in German, are first and second “Generalities on the theory of relativity,”(without going deeply into the mathematical symbolism); third “Special theory of relativity,” fourth “General theory of relativity and gravitation,” fifth “Cosmological speculations.” Scientific men are invited to the lectures.Admission will be by ticket, application for which should be forwarded to Professor H. D. Thompson, Princeton, N.J. Science, April 22 (53 [1921]), p. 382. Saturday, April 30 Einstein Invites 600 to Cosmological Party PRINCETON, N.J., April 30.—America tonight was offered a chance to expand the sacred circle of those who understand the Einstein theory of relativity. Invitations were sent out tonight to more than 600 college and university presidents to attend a series of lectures, beginning May 9, when Dr. Albert Einstein will explain his theory in person. Five lectures will be given, beginning with an introduction to the theory and closing with “Cosmological Speculations.” The New York Call, May 1, p. 6. Princeton Hears Einstein Explain (May 9–14) ) 161 162 ) Albert Meets America Monday, May 9 Albert Einstein Speaks on Theory Here To-day Address in McCosh 50Will Follow the OfficialWelcome Ceremony inAlexander Professor Albert Einstein of the University of Berlin will deliver the first of his series of lectures on the “Theory of Relativity” this afternoon in 50 McCosh . There will be an official welcome for the physicist at 4 in Alexander Hall. Immediately following this formal ceremony Professor Einstein will deliver his opening address. There will be no interpreter present, but after the lecture Professor Adams of the University Faculty will give a short resumé of what has been said. FacultyWillAttend At the formal welcome this afternoon, there will be present a gathering of the foremost scientists of the country. Invitations have been extended to over 600 presidents of colleges and universities, physicists, engineers, and astronomers. The University Faculty will attend this formal reception in full academic costume. During the five days that the Berlin professor discusses his theory in Princeton, visitors who intend to stay over will be accommodated at the Seminary, and will be the guests of the University. LecturesAre in German The other lectures of Dr. Einstein’s series will be given in McCosh 50 at 4:15 Princeton time. The lecture to-day will be an introductory explanation of the relativity theory and will be given under the subject “Generalities on the Theory of Relativity.”After a continuation of this general theme to-morrow, Professor Einstein will enter more deeply into the subject. The topics Wednesday and Thursday are: “The Special Theory of Relativity ” and “The General Theory of Relativity and Gravitation.” The series will end Friday afternoon with an explanation of “Cosmological...