Einstein, Albert. (1879-1955); Oppenheimer, J. Robert. (1904-1967); Honegger, Arthur. (1892-1955)
Letters concerning Einstein's membership in the Académie du Disque Français
A remarkable series of seven letters documenting the membership of Albert Einstein in the Académie du Disque Français, including 2 from Robert Oppenheimer and 2 moving letters on the death of Einstein from the Académie's president, Arthur Honegger.The Académie du Disque Français was founded in Paris in 1951 by Colette, Maurice Yvain, Jean Fayard, the poet Guy-Charles Cros, son of the inventor of the phonograph. Its founding president was Arthur Honegger and it included among its ranks other composers, men of letters, such as Cocteau, critics and discophiles.
Einstein, a talented violinist, who adored Mozart and revered the music of Bach, once declared that had he not been a scientist he would have become a musician, and that the most joy in his life had come to him from his violin. In a letter of 6 October, 1954 (not included here) Einstein accepted his election as a corresponding member of the Académie du Disque Français, noting that he was particularly appreciative of the fact that it was Albert Schweitzer who proposed him. He remained a member of the Académie du Disque from September 1954 until his death in April 1955. The President of the Académie, composer Arthur Honegger (1892 - 1955) died later the same year on 27 November.
One of the most important theoretical physicists of the 20th century, J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904 - 1967) was the scientific director of the Manhattan Project. Founder of the American school of theoretical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, he held Einstein's old position as director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ.
Seven items, in chronological order, as follows:
Typed letter draft, with numerous corrections and notes in red and blue ink. 2 pages. Paris, 30 September, 1954. Addressed to Einstein ("Monsieur le Professeur"), Michel de Bry discusses the history and mission of the Académie du Disque Français, and notes that it was Albert Schweitzer who has first proposed Einstein's nomination to the group. In a postscript, he notes: "Nous possédons dans les Archives de l'Académie une disque tres rare: l'enregistrement d'une conversation amicale entre Albert Einstein et George B. Shaw!" Pages rather browned, edges chipped and somewhat brittle, overall fine.
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Typed document, "Communiqué à l' A.F.P. - Le Professeur Einstein A L'Académie du Disque Francais." One page. Paris, 13 October, 1954. Official announcement of Einstein's joining the Académie.
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Two letters from Arthur Honegger. Both dated 19 April, 1955. 1 page, autograph letter signed; 1 page, typed letter signed. Both concerning the death of Albert Einstein. The handwritten letter, different in many respects from the typed one, is clearly a draft for what was to be the final typed version. The final version, in full:
“L' Académie du Disque Francais avait l'insigne honneur de compter parmi ses members correspondants la haute figure dont le monde est en deuil aujourd'hui. Albert Einstein n'avait pas seulement consacré sa vie aux problemes de la science, a ceux de la morale. Dans l'universalité de son genie, il s'intéressait aussi aux choses de la musique. Violoniste distingué, il s'adonnait volontiers chez lui a la musique de chamber en compagnie de solistes professionnels. Discophile averti, il avait accepté d'entrer dans notre compagnie en qualité d' “amateur,” et nous lui adressions toutes les nouvelles productions de l'industrie phonographique francaise. A la nouvelle de sa disparition, je ne puis maitriser en moi une angloisse qui doit étreindre tout etre qui pense. La voix d'Einstein était une sort d'espérance qui durait encore et qui pouvait préserver notre civilization. N'écrivait-il pas récemment, parlant de certains hommes de science: 'Ils s'avilissent au point d'aider, sur ordres reçus, a perfectionner énormément les moyens de destruction totale des hommes…Détourner cette menace est devenu le probleme le plus urgent de notre temps. Au moment décisif - et j'attends ce moment grave - je hurlerai avec tout ce qui me reste de forces.'
Hélas! Il n'est plus la, la grand Einstein, pour nous précéder de son hurlement.”
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Typed Letter Signed. On "Institute For Advanced Study, Princeton" letterhead, dated 19 May, 1955. One page. Addressed to Arthur Honegger, President / Académie du Disque Français. From Robert Oppenheimer. "On behalf of the Trustees and the Faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study, I wish to express to the members of the Académie du Disque Français our appreciation of your word of condolence on the death of Einstein, and our gratitude. Sincerely yours, Robert Oppenheimer." With the original transmissal envelope.
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Typed Letter on "Institute For Advanced Study, Princeton" letterhead, dated 20 September, 1955. One page. Addressed to Arthur Honegger, President / Académie du Disque Français. From the Secretary to the Director, Verna Wilder Hobson: "In response to your enquiry of September 6th, this is to let you know that the diploma of Professor Einstein has not arrived here, nor has it been received at Professor Einstein's house, 112 Mercer St. Of course, we very much appreciate your having sent it, and are only letting you know that it has not arrived in case you believe this indicated some misunderstanding in the channels of communication."
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Typed Letter Signed. On "Institute For Advanced Study, Princeton" letterhead, dated 16 November, 1955. One page. Addressed to Arthur Honegger, President / Académie du Disque Français. From Robert Oppenheimer. "At long last the certificate of Einstein's membership in the Académie du Disque Français has reached us. We are most grateful for it, and have arranged to transmit it to the family of Professor Einstein. On their behalf, too, we thank you. Faithfully yours, Robert Oppenheimer." With the original transmissal envelope.
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