Einstein in Princeton

If we could find a person well trained in physics, but ignorant of the prodigious
development of that science since 1904 and show them the scientific works of Albert
Einstein, he or she will definitively ask how many scientists have contributed to the
incredible body of work in their hands, and would not believe that it is the product of a
single mind! In our history Einstein is a man so unique that the future generations may
have trouble believing that such a human being, such a mind, could exist.
All residences of the father of the Theory of Relativity -- from Bern, to Zurich, to Berlin
-- are well kept and open to the public. Even though places like the Caputh cottage in
Germany have been stormed by the Nazis and significantly damaged, they have been
lovingly and painstakingly restored. All the more surprising is the situation in Princeton,
New Jersey, where the great scientist passed the second half of his life.
Walking up to the 112 Mercer Street, Einstein residence from the mid-thirties until 1955,
you will notice that not only has the house number been removed, but there is a little sign
on the gate saying: “Private residence”. On the same street (#160), just a few blocks
south from Einstein’s house, there is a plaque commemorating Karl Langlotz a Church
organist who composed the music for the “Old Nassau” and died in 1915. The plaque
reads, in capital letters: “May it be sacred to the sons of Princeton forever”! No similar
plaque indicates the contribution of Albert Einstein to Princeton.
It is true that Einstein himself requested that his house should not be turned into a
museum, but Kafka, for one, asked Max Brod to burn his books -- fortunately for us all
he had had enough responsibility not to do that. It is somehow puzzling that neither the
Institute for Advanced Study, the University, nor the city, or even some other cultural or
government institution have had enough sensibility to understand that such a place
belongs to mankind. It is also disturbing to find out that among the residents of the
Einstein house have been renowned members of the intellectual community and Nobel
Prize winners. How can they not see the importance, for the future generations, of the
place where Einstein lived his last years? A noble and honest gesture would be to donate
the house into the public custody – in which, indeed, it belongs. However in order to do
so we may need to overcome our greed and understand that collective memory is more
important than money and petty personal interests. This is, unfortunately, just another
case where the interests of the few come before the interest of the many -- too bad that
the people involved are scientists, both awarded and recognized for their contributions
toward the collective. Too bad for us all.

(© Sergio Caldarella, 2008)