Dukas, Helen

[Albert Einstein] Three Original Typed Letters Signed (TLS) from Helen Dukas to Yale Professor A.B. Lerner

[Albert Einstein] Three Original Typed Letters Signed (TLS) from Helen Dukas to Yale Professor A.B. Lerner with Three Carbon Copies of Corresponding TLS's from Lerner to Dukas, 1967-1968

Six pages total with four about 11 x 8.5 inches and two about 10 x 8 inches. All are either tissue paper or thin typing paper. Recto only. Several with corrections in blue pen or type-overs. The three Dukas letters signed in blue pen. Fine Condition.

Interesting set of correspondence between long-time Albert Einstein personal assistant Helen Dukas and early Einstein biographer Aaron B. Lerner, professor of Dermatology at Yale University Medical School.

Helen Dukas became Einstein's personal assistant in 1928 and was named by Einstein as co-executor of his literary estate, along with Dr. Nathan Rosen. Together Dukas and Rosen collaborated on the compilation of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein. Dukas also co-authored "Albert Einstein: Creator and Rebel" and co-edited "Albert Einstein: The Human Side."

Aaron Bunsen Lerner was the first chair of the Department of Dermatology at Yale University. As a researcher Lerner is best known for the discovery of melatonin. In 1973 Lerner published "Einstein & Newton; a Comparison of the Two Greatest Scientists" and likely the book he was working on while corresponding with Helen Dukas.

In this small collection, Dukas is responding to specific queries from Lerner, plus proof-reading portions of Lerner's drafts of his book on Einstein. As such, Dukas provides details which only someone very close to Einstein could provide including Einstein quotes and insights, plus personal details including where Einstein vacationed in the years 1934-1943.

Perhaps not groundbreaking details yet first-person information gleaned from Einstein's personal assistant who worked directly with Albert Einstein from 1928 through his death in 1955. Dukas remained working for the Einstein family until her death in 1982. Item #2263

Price: $600.00