Chapter 2
Divided Family
Publication: Hans Albert Einstein: His Life as a Pioneering Engineer
Abstract
This chapter focuses on Hans Albert's divided family. The family's transition to life without Albert was aided by two of his Zurich friends, Michele Besso and Heinrich Zangger. From Hans Albert's childhood, Albert laid the groundwork for a rare and special father–son commonality: a shared intellectual life, an idea-related intimacy that would become a strong tie, forming a common ground for communication even when family-related issues divided the two. Engineering seemed like a natural choice for Hans Albert. Throughout his life, he was known for his practical nature, for the pleasure he took in the physical manipulation and design of objects, and for his love of hands-on experiences. Hans Albert's choice of an engineering career may also have been one of his life's wisest decisions, crucial for psychological reasons. Having Albert Einstein as a father leaves a son few options.
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References Cited
References
Albert Einstein Archives (AEA). Hebrew University of Jerusalem, quoted with permission.
Collected papers of Albert Einstein (CPAE), Vol. 8: The Berlin years: Correspondence, 1914–1918, English translation (1998). Trans. A. M. Hentschel, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
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Einstein, E. R. (1991). Hans Albert Einstein: Reminiscences of his life and our life together, Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Einstein-Knecht, F. (1958). Albert Einstein's Briefe An Seine Familie, unpublished manuscript, private collection of Elizabeth Roboz Einstein.
HAE Papers. Letters and papers of Hans Albert Einstein. Private collection of Elizabeth Einstein, used with permission.
Rübel, E. (1986). Eduard Einstein: Erinnerungen ehemaliger Klassenkameraden am Zürcher Gymnasium, Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern and Stuttgart.
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Whitrow, G. J. (1967). Einstein: The man and his achievement. Published for the British Broadcasting Corporation, London, by W.&J. Mackay & Co., Chatham, Kent, UK.
Information & Authors
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Published In
Hans Albert Einstein: His Life as a Pioneering Engineer
Pages: 29 - 53
ISBN (Print): 978-0-7844-1330-2
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-7829-5
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: May 29, 2014
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