Prof. Albert Einstein – Nobel Prize Laureate
Among the Greatest Scientists of All Time
“I know of no public event which has given me such delight as the proposal to establish a Hebrew University in Jerusalem”
Einstein, April 1921
Albert Einstein is one of the founders of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. To him, the university represented a combination of the commitment to his Jewish identity and his belief in the universal values of the pursuit of truth and respect for every human being.
Prof. Einstein served on the university's first Board of Governors and Academic Council. He delivered the university's inaugural scientific lecture and edited its first collection of scientific papers. His unique relationship with this institution found a lasting expression in the bequest of his literary estate and personal papers to the Hebrew University of Jersualem in his last will and testament.
Visit the Albert Einstein Archives to learn more.
The Albert Einstein Archives
In 1982, the Estate of Albert Einstein transferred all the literary rights to Einstein's writings to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - in accordance with Einstein's Will of 1950. During the period of 1982-1990, the American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) in New York were responsible for dealing with all copyright issues pertaining to Einstein's writings. In 1991, the Executive of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem decided to transfer responsibility for all copyright issues pertaining to Albert Einstein to the office of the Curator of the Albert Einstein Archives in Jerusalem.
Located at the university, the Albert Einstein Archives include Einstein’s scientific and nonscientific writings, the famous E=mc2 formula, books from his various libraries, photographs, and volumes of essays and papers that illuminate the life, work, and universe of the world’s most famous scientist. The Archives is an extremely important source for the Jewish, German, European and American intellectual, political, and social history and for the history of Zionism in the first half of the 20th century.
The Albert Einstein Archives is an extraordinary cultural asset of universal importance for humanity and of national importance for Israel and the Jewish people. Representing the intellectual and personal record of a creative genius whose thinking profoundly changed our perception of the universe, it is of inestimable value. The Albert Einstein Archives constitutes an extremely valuable historical resource. It is considered one of the most significant sources for the history of modern physics.
"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding."
Political Independence is in the long run not possible without intellectual independence…a Jewish Commonwealth which would not regard learning as one of its principle aims seems to me unthinkable. For these reasons the support of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the maintenance of its high standards are of decisive importance
Einstein, November, 1948
my final object is that any property (whether it consist of original manuscripts, or literary rights or property owned by my estate, or the proceeds from the disposition of any such property or rights) shall … pass to the HEBREW UNIVERSITY and become its property absolutely, to be thereafter retained or disposed of by it as it may deem to be in its best interests
Einstein's Last Will and Testament
Albert Einstein & Hebrew University
- Einstein was a founding member of Hebrew University.
- Hebrew University has exclusive rights to his name, likeness, personal, and scientific writings.
- Einstein willed all his intellectual property to Hebrew University.
- Einstein believed in expanding access to scientific education.
- Einstein was a champion for refugee aid and assistance.