Henry George and his Principles
Albert Einstein
[The text of two letters received by Anna George De
Mille from Albert Einstein during 1934. Reprinted from Land and
Freedom, May-June, 1934]
Mrs. Anna George De Mille has received two letters from Albert
Einstein. The first reads is follows:
I thank you for your great friendliness. I have already
read Henry George's great book and really learnt a great deal from
it. Yesterday evening I read with admiration the address about
Moses. Men like Henry George are are rare unfortunately. One cannot
imagine a more beautiful combination of intellectual keenness,
artistic form and fervent love of justice. Every line is written as
if for our generation. The spreading of these works is a really
deserving cause, for our generation especially has many and
important things to learn from Henry George.
With friendly greetings,
A. EINSTEIN
The second letter came in answer to her request for permission to
make public the first and may thus be translated from the German:
I give you, according to your request, permission to
publish my letter on the work of Henry George although well known I
am no expert in this field and that my judgment therefore is not of
great importance. It almost seems to me as if you had no conception
to what high degree the work of Henry George is appreciated by
seriuus, thinking people.
The statement sent concerning the cooperation of America and
England in foreign policies interests me very much. A short time ago
President Butler of Columbia Universiry, gave expression to the same
thought which I often come in contact with, in English men of
politics, this statement (of Henry George) is a new proof to me of
the extraordinary foresight of this great personality.
With very great respect,
A. EINSTEIN
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