We believe this to be Einstein’s last signed photograph.

The recipient was Andrew J. Robell, a student at Princeton in 1955. In an affidavit that accompanies the photograph, he explained the circumstances surrounding Einstein’s signature:

“I learned that Albert Einstein lived at 112 Mercer Street in Princeton, a short distance from my freshman dormitory. Early in 1955 (January or February, as I recall) I walked to his house carrying the accompanying photograph of Dr. Einstein and asked that he sign it.”

Einstein signed and dated the photograph in black ink.

We have not been able to identify the photographer definitively, but it bears the characteristics of Orren Jack Turner II, whose father had photographed Einstein in Princeton in 1921 during Einstein’s first visit to the United States.

For decades, Einstein had suffered from abdominal pain. In December 1948, he underwent exploratory surgery that revealed a large aortic aneurysm.

The surgeon, Dr. Rudolph Nissen, wrapped the bulging blood vessel with cellophane to stimulate fibrosis and reinforce the weakened vessel. (Resecting the defective part and replacing it with a synthetic graft was not yet possible.) The operation added over six years, mostly pain-free, to Einstein’s life.

On April 12, 1955, Einstein experienced severe abdominal pain that intensified the following day. At first, he refused hospitalization but soon agreed to be admitted to Princeton Hospital to avoid being a burden at home. Einstein’s aneurysm was leaking and in the early stage of rupturing. He refused surgery, knowing that he would soon die without it, saying: “I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.”

Einstein continued his life’s work during the five days he was hospitalized. Early in the morning of April 18, 1955, the aneurysm ruptured. Einstein uttered his last words in German—which his English-speaking night nurse did not understand—and his extraordinary life ended.

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Note: The images printed in Einstein: The Man and His Mind are exact copies of the original photos. The images are printed on photographic quality paper that is spot varnished. This technique reproduces the originals as accurately as possible. The exceptional quality control adhered to by the publisher is an essential feature of the book. It permits the reader to share the experience as if viewing the actual photograph in this private collection.

An early review of Einstein: The Man and His Mind was published in the UK where the book became available before its release in the US. In his his Popscience Book Blog, reviewer Brian Clegg states:

“Sometimes a book gets labelled a coffee table book as an insult, suggesting it’s thin on content if visually attractive. Gary Berger and Michael DiRuggerio’s photographic exploration of Einstein is a indubitably a coffee table book, but in its highest form. It’s huge (34 x 26 cm) and contains a collection of beautiful imagery.”

“This is a remarkable book… I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

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Learn more about Einstein: The Man And His Mind.