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EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed (‘A. Einstein’) to Professor Stefan Konsuloff, Berlin, 20 July 1929.
EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed (‘A. Einstein’) to Professor Stefan Konsuloff, Berlin, 20 July 1929. In German, one page, 286 x 225mm, tipped onto grey card. Envelope, addressed to Konsuloff in Sofia (Bulgaria). Einstein intervenes in an academic squabble between two applicants for the newly-created chair of theoretical physics at the University of Sofia, G.I. Maneff and R. Zaykoff, declaring that neither applicant’s statements about the other are to be given any weight, but that the scientific work of Maneff is worthless, whereas that of Zaykoff shows potential. Einstein suspects Zaykoff however of ‘megalomaniac’ tendencies, and his support should not be taken to confer on him the ‘aura of genius’. Einstein’s letter opens by expressing hesitation about pronouncing in the dispute, on the grounds that ‘I do not know Herr Maneff and do not believe I can rely on the statements of Herr Zaykoff’. However, one thing is clear: Maneff’s scientific publications are ‘not only devoid of any deeper scientific merit, but they show a wholly insufficient grasp of the subject in question’. Zaykoff on the other hand has ‘much greater learning, even if – it seems to me – not much critical sense’; at least however he has the potential to do greater things, particular if given a more secure position; and in any case Maneff’s judgement of him is not to be given any weight. ‘I say this unwillingly, but with the feeling of duty in avoiding that a young man, who could perhaps achieve something, has his path cut off. On the other hand, it would not be advisable if through my influence Herr Zaykoff, who is anyway a bit of a megalomaniac, gained an aura of genius (Ich sage dies ungern, aber in dem Gefühl der Pflicht zu verhindern, dass einem jungen Menschen, der vielleicht etwas leisten würde, der Weg abgeschnitten wird. Andererseits wäre es aber auch nicht angezeigt, wenn durch meinen Einfluss Herrn Zaykoff, der ohnehin ein bischen megaloman ist, die Aureole des Genies aufgesetzt würde)’. Maneff already held the position of Professor Extraordinary in theoretical physics at Sofia, in which capacity he produced work challenging Einstein’s theory of relativity; Zaykoff was a former student of Einstein’s at Berlin (in 1922-24). There was evidently existing animosity between the two candidates, which led them each to appeal separately to Einstein, prior to the present remarkably forthright intervention. The size and unusual elegance (for Einstein) of the script testify to the pains he took over the present letter.