鈥淓ven on the most solemn occasions I got away without wearing socks and hid that lack of civilisation in high boots.鈥� So wrote Albert Einstein to his cousin and second wife Elsa, during a visit to the University of Oxford.
This nugget came to light when 1400 letters, donated to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel by Einstein鈥檚 stepdaughter Margot, were made public this week, 20 years after her death. 鈥淭his is the last such collection of material that will be revealed,鈥� says Hanoch Gutfreund, a physicist at the university.
The letters may help clear a blemish on Einstein鈥檚 image. 鈥淧eople perceive Einstein as an irresponsible, even cruel father,鈥� says Gutfreund. But letters from his sons and to Elsa show him in a more compassionate light. 鈥淗e describes his sons with great warmth and pride, and is concerned for their financial well-being,鈥� says Gutfreund.
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