An Unpublished, Self-Revelatory Poem from Albert Einstein, Showing Humility, Humor, and Self Awareness

In the poem, he apologizes for leaving Von Neumann’s party early and incurring the wrath of his wife, calling himself a “thick skinned fool” and a “clumsy bull”

Einstein urges Von Neumann not to be angry, that “regret creeps at the memory”, and that he is filled with dismay

This is a real rarity, and is the only poem by Einstein that we have ever carried; it has been in a private collection for a generation

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John Von Neumann was a mathematician, physicist, computer scientist and engineer who in 1933 Von Neumann accepted a tenured professorship at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. This was also where Albert Einstein worked, so the two were colleagues. Von Neumann had perhaps the widest coverage of any mathematician of his time, integrating pure and applied sciences and making major contributions to many fields, including mathematics, physics, economics, computing and statistics. He was a pioneer in building the mathematical framework of quantum physics and the digital computer. His analysis of the structure of self-replication preceded the discovery of the structure of DNA. During World War II, Von Neumann worked on the Manhattan Project. Before and after the war, he consulted for many organizations including the Office of Scientific Research and Development, the U.S. Army’s Ballistics Research Laboratory, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. At the 1950s, he chaired a number of Defense Department committees. He was also a member of the influential Atomic Energy Commission, in charge of all atomic energy development in the country.

Von Neumann and Einstein shared a similar cultural background but had different personalities and differed in work style, sometimes creating friction. Working just a few offices down from each other, Einstein was exceptionally irked by the loud music that often emanated from Von Neumann’s office. In time, Einstein would admire Von Neumann’s intellect but be critical of both his work and style; and Von Neumann would become envious of Einstein. Colleagues considered von Neumann's mind faster and more acute, while viewing Einstein's understanding as deeper, more original, and more foundational to physical reality. In summary, while von Neumann may have had more raw, lightning-fast processing power, Einstein had a greater depth in understanding the universe.

Von Neumann was socially active within the local academic community. He was a renowned, high-energy party host in Princeton, known as a ""bon vivant"" who loved socializing, loud music, and dancing. His parties were frequent, and often featured fine wine, off-color jokes, and a mix of academic and social guests. Among his guests was Albert Einstein. It is said that Von Neumann could attend parties until the early hours of the morning and then deliver a lecture at 8:30 am. Whereas Von Neumann was known for social parties, Einstein was more of an introvert who actively embraced solitude and tended to avoid displays of luxury.

Autograph manuscript signed, being a poem, in German, Princeton, no date, to Von Neumann and his wife, apologizing for his bad behavior at their cocktail party. “Dear Neumanns, The following Knittel [traditional German poem of rhyming couplets known for their humorous or satirical nature] verses should help you forgive my clumsiness:

“You thick skinned fool, you clumsy bull
So rang the scold in my ear so full
Which met me once down the stairs
As I made my way to the cars.

""And she was right, I swear,
The lady of the gentle sex so fair
That I did neglect the Neumanns
As I took off without any plans

""I now shudder thinking back
At the wild looks of the spouse’s attack
Regret creeps at the memory
That I should so forgetful be.

""And I am filled with such dismay
Such a thing will never do again or say
Laugh it off but anger not
May this poem help a lot.

""Yours truly, A. Einstein”

This provides a fascinating window into how Einstein saw his relationship with Von Neumann, and the strain it was under, as well as on Einstein’s own behavior (calling himself a “thick skinned fool, you clumsy bull”).

This is a real rarity, and is the only poem by Einstein that we have ever carried.