Next month, the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden will have on display several original prized documents in Albert Einstein’s handwriting.
In 1923 Einstein was awarded the Gold Medal by the Society for the Advancement of Science, Medicine and Surgery at UvA.
On receiving his prize, Einstein expressed his thanks in words that came from the heart, rather than writing a speech. Later on, he decided to put his words of thanks in writing to send to the society. The museum is now showing the acknowledgement document and accompanying letter in Einstein’s flowing handwriting.
The museum also has in its possession several other objects that belonged to Albert Einstein, such as the fountain pen with which Einstein wrote his theory of relativity. Einstein gave this pen as a gift to Paul Ehrenfest in 1921. Ehrenfest was director of the physics faculty of Leiden University at the time and it was thanks to him that Einstein gave lectures in Leiden as "professor by special appointment".
Enjoy this precious letter and other intriguing pieces at the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave starting next month.