In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re going to talk about Einstein. Einstein is a household name; dear Albert is famous for his influences on modern physics. Everyone can quote the equation that made him a significant player in history (E=mc2), but no one remembers the other Einstein: Albert’s first wife, Mileva. Funnily enough, she also was a physicist, which was astounding considering she was alive during the 20th century when women in STEM were a huge rarity. Props to you, Mileva!
Albert and Mileva were admitted into the Polytechnic Institute in Zurich in 1896, where they were two of the five admitted. Mileva was the only woman among them, staking her place in the program by excelling in applied physics and experimental work, both of which were subjects in which Albert performed poorly. They started studying together, becoming inseparable. Since Albert preferred to study at home and often skipped lectures, Mileva was known as the organized one, and she would often keep Albert on task (we know this because they sent letters to each other when they weren’t together; how adorable!). Despite this, Albert was the only one that got his degree.
But wait! The story doesn’t end there! Mileva and Albert continued their studies together, partners in physics, and wrote many scientific publications. They were all published under Albert’s name so that their research could be taken seriously. When Albert was finally able to hold his own lectures, many of his notes and cues were written by Mileva. Together, the Einsteins were making waves in science.
Sadly, Mileva and Albert divorced after Mileva discovered Albert’s affair with his cousin. One of the clauses in the divorce stated that the money Albert would receive if he ever won the Nobel Prize would belong to Mileva. I have serious respect for her for that clause. She helped him refine his research, after all. Mileva did receive the money, as expected, and used it to buy two apartment buildings. That was quite the investment, so when their son developed schizophrenia and was internalized, Mileva had to live poorly by relying on private lessons and the inconsistent alimony.
She tried revealing her contribution, or at least threatened to, and Albert made a valid, albeit rude and misogynistic, point about her role as a woman in science. He literally told her no one would care since she is a woman. That deterred Mileva from speaking out. However, her friends and family tried outing the “secret” but were stopped before it could gain any traction.
I wish that Mileva had been born in a more progressive time so that she could rightfully sign her work under her own name. I get it though. She couldn’t have made it on her own, and Albert’s success was essential in having a functional marriage with him.
This article is for the silenced Einstein. Mileva, we know better now. Thank you for your contributions to science and for being an inspiration to young women in STEM everywhere.