Never put anyone on a pedestal including Einstein

This experience taught me to never put anyone on a pedestal in my mind, including Albert Einstein. That is if I want to keep them there.

Wikipedia

While at the resale shop I happen upon a book, “The Other Einstein”, by Marie Benedict, based on a true story. How could I resist? The thought of learning about Einstein and his first wife, Milvea Maric on a personal level is very exciting to me.

The book is about Mileva Maric, from Serbia in 1896 who is the only woman studying physics at in Zürich. She meets Einstein in her class while attending school there.

The book is fiction and uses some historical facts, a fun read for me through the first two-thirds of the book.

I find myself taking a hike with her and her friends, listening to her and other students, including Einstein discuss science at the Polytechnic Institute.

I am even there when Albert Einstein pursues a relationship with her.

Then the negative things pop up like his mother did not like her she was too dark for her.

Also the unexpected pregnancy, which spells the end of her career; things go bad from there. It was difficult for a woman to make it as a scientist anyway and she got pregnant while unmarried.

The worst part I did not expect is I begin to see Albert Einstein as a person. A man doing things most men do and this is the part that bothers me. From there it went downhill for me. He later divorces her.

I had no idea his first wife was a brilliant mathematician and actually helping him in his studies and allowing him to take credit on work they did together. Einstein often refers to the work as “our work” in letters to her. It bothers me that this is kept out of the spotlight.

Once again a woman with ambition being pushed back, also not credited for all she did in helping him

“Behind every great man is a woman.” - unknown source
No truer words have ever been written at this moment in my mind.

One redeeming factor later is when they divorce the court rules for her to be awarded the proceeds of any future Nobel Prize, which she later receives.

It is good to know of Mileva Maric contributions. The part that saddens me most is her life remains in the shadows.

I do suggest the book with its insights into Einstein’s life and the fact it is well written. Here is a book review about this book that I like.

A good lesson for me is never to put anyone on a pedestal, even Einstein.

Thank you for reading,
@rebeccabe


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