Albert Einstein, 6 October 1938

EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Typed letter signed ("A. Einstein") to Herrn Edward Cushing, Princeton, 6 October 1938.

In German. One page, 212 x 278mm (light mailing folds impacting signature, two small spots of loss at the centerfolds).

Einstein supports Austrian educator Eugenie Schwarzwald, founder of the "Schwarzwald'sche school" for young women, after her assets were seized by the Nazis. In response to a prior letter from Mr. Cushing, Einstein writes: "… I personally feel great respect and warm sympathy for Mrs. Schwarzwald. However, since I lead a rather isolated life, I have few personal acquaintances and no knowledge of people who could be approached... If you should learn about such people from your American friends, I should be very glad to write to them. Also, I should be able to make a modest contribution myself..."

This letter relates to Mrs. Eugenie Schwarzwald -- a progressive Austrian philanthropist who founded the innovative Schwarzwald school to educate Austrian girls. She was forced to leave Austria due to her Jewish ancestry, where her assets were seized by the Nazis and the Schwarzwald schools were forcibly closed. Edward Cushing began the "Schwarzwald fund" to financially support her after the seizure of her assets, and in conjunction with American journalist Dorothy Thompson, rallied for their intended emigration to America - likely referenced here. (see Deutschsprachige Exiliterature seit 1933, John M. Spalek et al., p. 379).