German-born Jewish scientist Albert Einstein penned a letter to Princeton University President Dr. Frank Kingdon on September 3, 1942, in which he criticized the U.S. government for not doing enough to defeat the Nazis. The United States had taken Einstein in as a refugee from Europe nine years prior. Einstein was a faculty member residing at Princeton University at the time, and Dr Kingdon was mutually concerned about the rise of the Nazis and the United States inaction.
This letter was not meant for the public but was auctioned off in April 2016, fetching a price of $34,500. It was sold by Dr. Kingdon's family to a private collector, and was auctioned off by the American auction company Profiles in History. The text of this letter can be found below.
Knollwood
Saranac Lake, N.Y.,
September 3, 1942.
Dr. Frank Kingdon
120 East 16th st,
New York City.
Dear Dr. Kingdon,
You can imagine how the new crimes committed by the Nazis in France make me suffer, crimes assisted to by the Vichy-traitors. I cannot, however, make up my mind to approach Washington on the matter. My reason is a sad one indeed and I wish to explain it to you so that you may understand my negative attitude: I do not believe in the effectiveness of a lame and half-hearted lip-service brought about by pressure from outside.
Why did Washington help to strangulate Loyalist Spain? Why has it an official representative in fascist France? Why does it not recognize a French government in exile? Why does it flirt with Franco-Spain? Why is there no really serious effort to assist Russia in her dire need? Why is Finland treated with kid gloves? (I know their explanations but do not believe them.)
Because it a government controlled to a large degree by financiers the mentality of whom is near to the facsist frame of mind. If Hitler were not a lunatic he could easily have avoided the hostility of the Western powers. That he is a lunatic is the sole advantage in the present sinister picture of the world.
I am not too impressed by words but by deeds and facts. I don't like to mention these things, especially as one who is grateful having sought and found refuge and protection in this country. But I am sure that my short remarks will suffice as explanation and you will understand that I cannot feel enough optimism to participate in the action which you promote with such worthy intentions.
May I use this occasion, my dear Dr. Kingdon, to express to you my appreciation and gratitude for your indefatiguable efforts in the service of humanity and justice.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Professor Albert Einstein.
Source:
Tufft, Ben.
“Albert Einstein attacked the US for failing to stop Nazi Germany and claimed White House was 'controlled by near fascist financiers', private letter reveals,” Dailymail UK, (April 7, 2016)