The Avid Reader Show

Episode 776: Einstein in Oxford - Andrew Robinson


Listen Later

An intimate account of Albert Einstein’s visit to Oxford in the 1930’s, casting new light on why he continues to be the world’s most famous scientist.

In 1931, Albert Einstein visited Oxford to receive an honorary degree and lecture on relativity and the universe. While teaching, he naturally chalked equations and diagrams on several blackboards. Today, one of these boards is the most popular object in Oxford’s History of Science Museum. Yet Einstein tried to prevent its preservation because he was modest about his legendary status. Having failed, he complained to his diary: “Not even a cart-horse could endure so much!”

Nevertheless, he came back to Oxford in 1932 and again in 1933—then as a refugee from Nazi Germany. In many ways, the city appealed deeply and revealed him at his most charismatic as he participated in its science, music, and politics, and wandered its streets alone. Einstein in Oxford is an eye-opening exploration of the world’s most famous scientist, told through the personal writings he left behind from an important period of his life. From the pages of his diary entries, poem, and other written observations, readers gain a deeper understanding of the unique man—and humor—who continues to fascinate the world.

Buy the book from Wellington Square Bookshop - ​
https://www.wellingtonsquarebooks.com

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Avid Reader ShowBy Samuel Hankin

  • 3.6
  • 3.6
  • 3.6
  • 3.6
  • 3.6

3.6

43 ratings


More shows like The Avid Reader Show

View all
Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

10,981 Listeners

Terrible Book Club by Chris & Paris

Terrible Book Club

63 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,631 Listeners

Pivot by New York Magazine

Pivot

9,320 Listeners

ChooseFI by ChooseFI

ChooseFI

5,128 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

111,084 Listeners

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll | Wondery

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

4,123 Listeners

Script Apart with Al Horner by Script Apart

Script Apart with Al Horner

160 Listeners

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson by Higher Ground

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

12,768 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,497 Listeners