TLS in German, signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.75 x 11.25, August 28, 1922. Letter to an unidentified doctor. In full (translated): “It is possible that I will be able to deliver some lectures in China. At the present time I have been invited by the University of Peking. But because of the current political difficulties in China I am not sure whether I can really accept that invitation. I have only two or three weeks to spare for the eventual visit to China and (except for possibly Peking) I think the only cities situated on the coast of China can be taken into consideration. In the meantime I cannot decide anything as long as the matter with Peking University is not resolved. I would only like to mention the following:
1) I can not lecture in English, but I know an intelligent colleague (Mr. Rush) who has taught Theoretical Physics in Tientsin for many years and who would be an ideal interpreter.
2) My lectures can be aimed only at an audience that is somehow already educated in Natural Sciences (medically trained people, engineers, teachers, etc) because I know from experience that audiences consisting entirely of lay people won’t be able to understand anything.
If you want to follow through with your plan, I ask you to send detailed suggestions to me at Tokyo University, perhaps after having consulted with Peking, so that I can then make decisions and put together a program. Please thank Mr. Robertson for his letter to me and tell him of the contents of this letter.” Einstein has made three very small corrections to the typed text. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and a uniform shade of mild toning.
As China was introduced to Einstein’s relativity following the May Fourth Movement, riding a wave of enthusiasm for Western ideas, demand for his presence grew; after a lengthy back-and-forth with Peking University’s President Cai Yuanpei in the spring of 1922, he finally agreed to a two-week stay in China following an engagement in Japan, during which he would lecture at several universities. But just as the arrangements began to take shape, a major war broke out near Beijing between the Zhili and Fengtian, the two most powerful warlord factions, leaving the Beijing government extremely unstable. As financial support for the universities crumbled and correspondence from Cai tapered off, Einstein grew uncertain of his trip there; after receiving a letter from Professor Pfister in Shanghai about an undiscussed engagement, with an additional demand that he speak in English, Einstein’s concern reached its limit and he canceled the entire tour. By the time he received word from Cai that all was well, it was too late for him to reschedule. On his way to Jerusalem to accept the presidency of the Hebrew University, however, he did make one stop in Shanghai on January 1, 1923, delivering a lecture at the invitation of the Shanghai Young Jewish Association and the Academic Research Society. An interesting letter regarding Einstein’s popularity in the Far East—and his reluctance to lecture on relativity to the masses, demanding instead a well-educated crowd. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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