EINSTEIN Albert (1879-1955) Lot n° 183

Letter signed with his stamp "A. Einstein", Princeton, New Jersey, April 30, 1947, to Dr. Rafael GRINFELD, La Plata (Argentina); 1 page in-4, heading Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, envelope (binder holes); in English. Circular letter, appeal to the scientific community after the atomic revolution. Thanks to the liberation of atomic energy, their generation gave birth to the most revolutionary force since the discovery of fire by prehistoric man. This fundamental power of the universe cannot be integrated into the outdated concept of narrow nationalisms. For there is no secret and there is no defence; there is no possibility of control except by the agreement and insistence of the peoples of the world. Scientists recognize their unavoidable responsibility to provide their fellow citizens with an understanding of the simple facts of atomic energy and their implications for society, in the belief that an informed citizen will act for life and not for death. They need $10,000,000 for this great educational task. Supported by faith in man's ability to control his destiny through the exercise of reason, they have committed all their strength and knowledge to this work. Einstein calls on his correspondent to help them... "Through the release of atomic energy, our generation has brought into the world the most revolutionary force since prehistoric man's discovery of fire. This basic power of the universe cannot be fitted into the outmoded concept of narrow nationalisms. For there is no secret and there is no defense; there is no possibility of control except through the aroused understanding and insistence of the peoples of the world. We scientists recognize our inescapable responsibility to carry to our fellow citizens an understanding of the simple facts of atomic energy and their implications for society. In this lie our only security and our only hope - we believe that an informed citizenry will act for life and not for death"... A photog