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Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Albert Einstein's letter shows life in Norfolk as Nazis wanted him dead
A letter has emerged showing Albert Einstein's life in England as he fled Nazi death threats - he was protected by a 24-hour police guard and local men armed with shotguns An enthralling letter penned by Albert Einstein 92 years ago has been uncovered, revealing how he cherished the "enviable solitude" of Norfolk while evading the Nazi regime. The celebrated physicist escaped to Belgium following Hitler's ascent but continued to be under threat. Inadequate police protection necessitated his journey across to Dover, after which he was chauffeured to a modest 9m2 hut on Roughton Heath, near Cromer, generously provided by Conservative MP Oliver Locker-Lampson. Einstein expressed to his son Eduard in a letter that despite the austere living situation, he was savouring the quietness of his retreat, dedicating most of his time to mathematics and running outdoors to keep warm. Commencing the correspondence dated September 23, 1933, from Cromer, he candidly shared: "Times have been rather turbulent... It was actually reported... plans for my assassination... My little house... consists of a single room... Outside the door you have immediate access to Mother Nature." He described the Nazi domination of his native Germany as "a revolution of the stupid against the rational" and even welcomed guests like sculptor Jacob Epstein, who sculpted a bust in his likeness, reports the Express. Einstein departed England for the United States in October 1933 and never revisited Europe before his demise in 1955. This two-page document, which remained within the Einstein family circles until 2001, is set to go under the hammer at Christie's London, with an expected valuation between £20,000 and £25,000. Thomas Venning, a specialist in books at Christie's, commented: "It shows Einstein's humour amid stress. Despite threats, he joked about getting peace and quiet when dead but not enjoying it. His line about Nazism as a 'revolution of the stupid against the rational' was a powerful critique. His love of solitude and nature shines through." Venning further noted the irony of the globally renowned genius taking refuge in a Norfolk hut, protected by locals armed with shotguns, describing it as "Dad's Army-like". He also pointed out that the coverage by the British press diminished the secrecy of his hideaway. The auction is set for 9 July.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Time of India
‘Kashmiri driver, ponywallah acted like guardians'
1 2 Kolkata: The image of her husband, Samir Guha (56), being gunned down in front of her eyes at Baisaran Valley has been haunting his wife, Sabari. Their daughter, Subhangi (17), has hardly spoken ever since. Yet, sitting beside the photo of her husband, who used to be a senior statistical official, during his shraddha ceremony at their Behala Sakherbazar home on Friday, Sabari did not forget to mention how their Kashmiri driver , Iqbal, and the pony operator, guided the two to safety after the shooting. "But for them we could not have survived," Sabari told a neighbour, Swapan Kumar Das. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The two Kashmiris stayed put with the mother-daughter duo. "It was Iqbal, who like a doting guardian, offered to take Sabari and Subhangi to his home. It was from Iqbal's phone that we received the call about the tragedy that had struck. Though my sister did speak to us, all she could manage to say was 'everything was finished'. It was Iqbal who filled in with the necessary details as we tried to find out more from Subhangi," Samir's brother-in-law Subrata Ghosh had said earlier. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo The neighbour, Das, said Sabari had received an injury in her legs in Pahalgam, before the attack took place. "She told me that it was the pony operator who ensured she and her daughter reached back to safety, guiding them from Baisaran Valley, even as Iqbal volunteered to stay with them, trying their best to soothe them down," said Das. Subhangi had earlier said she and her parents were out on a walk on the meadow on Tuesday afternoon, when they suddenly heard gunshots in the distance. Initially, they were told the shots were to scare off monkeys. "Samir's wife said that suddenly, a few people, all wearing masks and in Army-like fatigues, appeared around them and surrounded them. Each of them carried a gun," said Das. "Sabari said the men ordered everyone to lie down on the ground. Scared, everyone complied. Soon after, the terrorists selectively shot down her husband and a few others. The terrorists had insisted on sparing none of the men."
