Albert Einstein
Princeton, NJ, October 29, 1953
Albert Einstein TLS to Turkish Physicist Studying Unified Field Theory
TLS

A typed letter from Albert Einstein to fellow physicist Behram Kursunoglu, who became a leading voice in Einstein's unified field theory. 1p on Institute For Advanced Study letterhead, 8.5" x 11", Princeton, NJ, October 29, 1953. Boldly signed at conclusion as "A. Einstein", he responds to Kursunoglu's request to visit and talk over his "latest version" of the theory. Accompanied by two unsigned drafts of Kursunoglu's letters to Einstein, both typed on Cornell University stationery. Expected letter folds and light age toning throughout. Isolated soiling in the upper left with some minor spotting present, not affecting overall appearance. Else, near fine.

The correspondence begins with Kursunoglu's letter of October 15, 1953, reading in full:

"I have great interest in [the] Unified Field Theory, and I have been working on it for the last three years. Now that I am in this country, I should be very happy to come and see you at Princeton and discuss some of the questions about your latest version of the Unified Field Theory, if you could kindly space any time for me.

Einstein responds within the offered letter October 29th regarding his schedule:

"I am glad to see you some day, either in the morning between 11 and 1 o'clock at the Institute for Advanced Study or in the afternoon between 4 and 6 o'clock at my house, 112 Mercer Str. Princeton N.J. Please be kind enough to inform me of your visit a few days ahead."

Behram Kursunoglu (1922-2003) was a Turkish physicist best known for his works on unified field theory, energy and global issues. He participated in the discovery of two different types of neutrinos in the late 1950s, and later became the founder and director of the Center for Theoretical Studies at the University of Miami. In the same year he wrote to Einstein, Kursunoglu published a pair of articles in the academic journal 'Physical Review Letters' entitled "Expectations from a Unified Field Theory" and "Unified Field Theory and Born-Infeld Electrodynamics", respectively.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
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