{"id":2911,"date":"2025-08-04T10:25:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T08:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/?page_id=2911"},"modified":"2026-05-27T14:18:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T12:18:49","slug":"munich","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/munich\/","title":{"rendered":"Munich"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Biography<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"de_DE\"\/ DEUTSCH<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cA wonder [\u2026] experienced as a child of four or five years when my father showed me a compass. [\u2026] I can still remember \u2013 or at least believe I can remember \u2013 that this experience made a deep and lasting impression upon me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Albert Einstein “Autobiographical notes” 5)<\/sup>, 1946<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Albert Einstein in Munich<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Munich<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMunich is the capital of the Free State of Bavaria. With 1.5 million inhabitants [2025 approximately 1.6 million], it is the most densely populated city of Bavaria, the third-largest municipality of Germany, and with 4,844 inhabitants per square kilometer the most densely populated municipality of Germany. [\u2026] Munich is a cosmopolitan city and is considered as center of culture, politics, science, and media. [\u2026] There are numerous concerts, universities, and colleges, important museums, theaters, and the only stock exchange of Bavaria. With a large number of quite nice buildings and protected monuments and ensembles, international sports events, exhibitions, and congresses as well as the worldwide known Oktoberfest, the city is a point of attraction for international tourism and one of the most visited cities of Europe.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:<\/span> Wikipedia, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourist attractions in Munich are (a selection): Frauenkirche, Marienplatz with Neues Rathaus and Glockenspiel, Karlsplatz (Stachus), Viktualienmarkt, Pinakotheken, Deutsches Museum, Bayerische Staatsoper, Platzl in der Altstadt with the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus, Oktoberfest, Englischer Garten, Botanischer Garten, Olympiapark, Schloss Nymphenburg, Residenz mit Hofgarten, Tierpark Hellabrunn, Isar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Ulm to Munich<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The economic situation allowed Hermann Einstein and his family a more or less carefree life in Ulm. On the initiative of his younger brother Jakob, Hermann Einstein moved to Munich in the summer of 1880, together with his wife Pauline and one year old Albert. There, he had the possibility to become a shareholder of his brother\u2019s company Jakob Einstein & Cie. On June 21, 1880, Hermann Einstein and his family registered with the police in Munich. There they lived in the district Isarvorstadt, in M\u00fcllerstra\u00dfe 3 on the 3rd floor. At Einstein\u2018s time, Munich had approximately 250,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On November 18, 1881, Albert Einstein\u2018s sister Maria \u2013 called Maja \u2013 was born. When little Albert saw his sister for the first time, he might have thought that a little sister was a toy, because he asked: \u201cYes, but where does it have its little wheels?\u201c Maja and her brother Albert got along very well throughout their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1 Albert Einstein and his sister Maja (Maria), 1884<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Albert Einstein\u2018s childhood was a normal one, except for the circumstance the he only learned to speak very late what bewildered the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the age of 4 or 5 years, Albert Einstein experienced \u2013 according to his own words \u2013 \u201ea wonder\u201c which left a deep and lasting impression. His father showed him a compass which impressed him very much. He could not understand that the compass needle, no matter how he turned the compass, always showed in the same direction. There must have been something behind the things which was deeply hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prepare him for school, he started having private lessons in 1884. Albert\u2018s mother arranged violin lessons for him in 1885. He had those lessons from the age of 6 to the age of 14. According to his own words, he mainly fell in love with Mozart\u2018s sonatas. Often, Albert\u2018s mother accompanied her son at the piano. Some years later, Albert himself played the piano to distract himself. Same as when playing the violin, he could think better when playing the piano, because this put him into a calm mood. The family made a lot of music and also did this very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albert\u2019s musical talent has its origin in the family of this mother (family Koch). The mathematical and logical talent has its origin in the Einstein family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe usually calm small boy had inherited from grandfather Koch a tendency toward violent temper tantrums. At such moments his face would turn completely yellow, the tip of his nose snow-white, and he was no longer in control of himself. On one such occasion he grabbed a chair and struck at his teacher, who was so frightened that she ran away terrified and was never seen again. Another time he threw a large bowling ball at his little sister\u2019s head; a third time he used a child\u2019s hoe to knock a hole in her head. This should suffice to show that it takes a sound skull to be the sister of an intellectual. This violent temper disappeared during his early school years.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:<\/span> The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein (CP), Volume1, Maja Winteler-Einstein, \u201cAlbert Einstein \u2013 A biographical sketch\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On March 31, 1885, the family moved to a house in Rengerweg 14 (on January 1, 1887 renamed into Adlzreiterstra\u00dfe 14) in the Munich district Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt. On the estate, in direct proximity to the residential building, there was also the factory of this father and uncle. The estate was situated between Adlzreiterstra\u00dfe and Lindwurmstra\u00dfe 125.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Albert and his family, also Albert\u2018s uncle Jakob and his wife Ida Einstein with their children Robert and Edith lived in the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1902, the Einstein family sold their Munich estate. The house had been badly damaged during World War II, and demolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2 Memorial plaque<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\u201cALBERT
EINSTEIN
SPENT HIS
CHILDHOOD AND
EARLY YOUTH
IN THIS HOUSE
FROM 1885 TO 1894\u201d<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Today, a memorial plaque in Einsteinstra\u00dfe 34 (previously Adlzreiterstra\u00dfe 14) reminds of Albert Einstein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe children of family and relatives often got together in his parents\u2018 garden in Munich. Albert refrained from joining their boisterous games, however, and occupied himself with quieter things. When he occasionally did take part, he was regarded as the obvious arbiter 1)<\/sup> in all disputes. Since children usually retain a very keen and unspoiled instinct for the exercise of justice, the general recognition of his authority indicates that his ability to think objectively had developed early. His early thoroughness in thinking was also reflected in a characteristic, if strange, habit. Every sentence he uttered, no matter how routine, he repeated to himself softly, moving his lips. This odd habit persisted until his seventh year.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1)<\/sup> \u201cArbiter\u201d: Latin for \u201creferee\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:<\/span> CP, Volume1, Maja Winteler-Einstein, \u201cAlbert Einstein \u2013 A biographical sketch\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Petersschule (Catholic elementary school) in Munich<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting in October 1985, 7-year-old Albert, probably as of the second grade IIa, attended Petersschule, a Catholic elementary school in Blumenstra\u00dfe near Sendlinger Tor in the old town of Munich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3 Petersschule in Munich, approximately 1880<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Tought were the following subjects (Source: CP, Volume 1):<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2nd<\/sup> grade (7th to 8th year of age)<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), Practical Demonstrations (6 units\/week, Reading, Grammar, Spelling), Calligraphy (2 hours), Singing (1 hour), Sports (2 hours), Mathematics (6 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3rd<\/sup> grade (8th to 9th year of age)<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (3 hours), Practical Demonstrations (Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Essay), Local History (2 hours), Calligraphy (2 hours), Singing (1 hour), Sports (2 hours), Mathematics (6 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4th<\/sup> grade (9th to 10th year of age)<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (3 hours), Practical Demonstrations (Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Essay), Local History (2 hours), Calligraphy (2 hours), Singing (1 hour), Sports (2 hours), Mathematics (6 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The grading directly into the second grade was due to the previous private lessons. One year later he changed to grade IIIa with 70 students, and one month later he changed to grade IIIb. This change from IIIa to IIIb probably happened due to disciplinary reasons, because Albert stood out through recurring violent temper. Starting in October 1887, he spent his last year in elementary school in grade IVb with 71 students. Albert was the only Jew in his class. He participated in Catholic Religion lessons. The Religion teacher liked him, and according to Einstein\u2018s own words, the teachers of the elementary school were liberal and did not make any confessional differences. Young Albert was nevertheless impressively made aware by his Religion teacher that he had to feel as a foreigner among all the Christs. The teacher showed the students a large nail and told them that the Jews had nailed Jesus Christ to the cross with such nails. This religious education made the students physically aggressive and the consequence was that antisemitism was alive among the students of the elementary school. However, the attacks and insults on his way to school were most of the time not as malicious as Einstein later remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen Albert entered public school, his religious instruction, then compulsory in Bavaria, also had to begin. A liberal spirit, undogmatic in matters of religion, brought by both parents from their respective homes, prevailed within the family. There was no discussion of religious matters or rules. But since Albert was legally obliged to receive religious instruction, he was taught at home by a distant relative: as a result, a deep religious feeling was awakened in him. He heard about divine will and works pleasing to God, about a way of life pleasing to God \u2013 without these teachings having been integrated into a specific dogma. Nevertheless, he was so fervent in his religious feelings that, on his own, he observed religious prescriptions in every detail. For example, he ate no pork. This he did for reasons of conscience, not because his family has set such an example. He remained true to his self-chosen way of life for years. Later religious feeling gave way to philosophical thought, but absolutely strict loyalty to conscience remained a guiding principle.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:<\/span> CP, Volume1, Maja Winteler-Einstein, \u201cAlbert Einstein \u2013 A biographical sketch\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He got along quite well with the other students which was due to his restrained manner, however and because of his characteristics, he received the nickname \u201cBiedermann\u201c. Albert was a good student who also always did all of his homework. The consequence were good school grades. Thus Albert\u2019s mother Pauline wrote to her sister Fanny due to a report card on October 1, 1886: \u201cYesterday Albert got his grades, once again he was ranked first, he got a splendid report card \u2026\u201d<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The safely and thoroughly thinking boy was only considered fairly talented by his teachers. This was among other things due to the fact that he needed time for thinking and only gave answers to the questions of the teachers after some time. Albert was no good mathematician within the meaning of continuity, however, reliable and enduring. He also with safety always found a way to solve difficult tasks, even if he easily made mistakes when calculating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only with the physical exercise in the Sports lessons he had some problems \u2013 he quickly got dizzy and tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his leisure time however, he did not become tired quickly. At home it was important that homework was done first, only then was he allowed to play. Characteristic for his talents he made puzzles, complicated fretwork, buildings with the renowned Anker building set, and he played with model steam engine which he had been given by his uncle Caesar. He very much liked to build three to four story high houses of cards. Maja reported that the ten year old Albert succeeded to build houses of cards up to fourteen stories high. For this, he needed a lot of patience and exactness. Similar to his mother, Albert had a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4 House of cards and \u201cAnker\u201d building set (2026)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Starting in October 1888, 8-year-old Albert attended the Luitpold-Gymnasium in Munich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jakob Einstein & Cie.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[“Cie.” is the abbreviation for the French word “Compagnie” (company\/corporation)]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directly behind the residential building of the Einstein family, a two-story high building was erected which was the later registered office of the company Jakob Einstein & Cie. In the building, electrotechnical articles were made (cables, arc lamps, dynamos, generators, electricity meters, measuring devices\u2026). Even a complete telephone system belonged to their supply program. The different interests and abilities of the two brothers led to the fact that Jakob took care of the technology and Hermann took care of the operational business. The brothers were financially supported by their family. The electrotechnical branch of the company developed well, so that the area gas, water, and the tinkering business was given up. In October 1880, the two brothers had founded a small company for gas and water installation in Munich. In 1885, they sold their shares in the company Kiessling & Cie. which they had acquired some years earlier. With this money they then founded the company Jakob Einstein & Cie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was followed by large orders such as the illumination of the Munich Oktoberfest, the installation of electric street lighting in the Munich suburb Schwabing and in the North Italian cities Varese and Susa. In its best years, the company almost had 200 employees. In the year 1893, the situation of the company dramatically worsened. Important orders, such as for example the illumination of the Munich old town, were lost to competitors. The running costs of the company could no longer be covered. However, the Italian market promised better prospects for the future. Therefore, the brothers and their Italian partners founded the company \u201cEinstein, Garone e. C.\u201c in Pavia, North Italy in March 1894. The company Jakob Einstein & Cie. was liquidated in July 1894.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBegun modestly, at a time when all the world was beginning to install electric lighting, the enterprise had good prospects. But Jakob Einstein\u2019s plans were more ambitious. [\u2026] That required a larger plant, and substantial funds to start operating it. The entire family, and especially Hermann\u2019s father-in-law Julius Koch, participated financially and made the new enterprise possible. [\u2026] It is hard to say just why it never really flourished. Whether because the highly imaginative Jakob Einstein dissipated his energies, or because, as an impetuous optimist he never understood how to deal with realities \u2013 in short, business affairs grew progressively worse. The fault may also have lain with Hermann Einstein, Albert\u2019s father, who, owing to his more contemplative nature, may have lacked the qualities required of a businessman on a grand scale. [\u2026] So even though Jakob Einstein, constantly seeking novelty and change and unable to learn from any failure, was an over-eager and even stubborn optimist, his brother Hermann gave in to him out of sheer good nature before he was himself able to reach decisions in his business deliberations. [\u2026] Business sales were insignificant in Germany, while showing great promise in Italy. The Italian representative of the firm then proposed moving the plant to Italy. Jakob Einstein was at once so taken with the idea that he was able to persuade Hermann Einstein to make the change, literally sweeping him along. The firm in Munich was liquidated. The lovely estate with the villa in which Albert Einstein had spent a happy childhood was sold to a building contractor, who immediately turned the handsome grounds into a construction site, cutting down the magnificent old trees and erecting an entire row of ugly apartment houses. Until the time of their move the children had to watch from the house as these witnesses to their most cherished memories were destroyed. The plant was then transferred to Pavia; the family moved to Milan in 1894 and a year later to Pavia. The success of the enterprise was so meager, however, that by 1896 it had to be liquidated.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:<\/span> CP, Volume1, Maja Winteler-Einstein, \u201cAlbert Einstein \u2013 A biographical sketch\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When the family moved to Italy in 1894, Albert stayed alone in Munich to finish his education at Luitpold-Gymnasium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Luitpold-Gymnasium in Munich<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On September 26, 1888, the entrance examination at the Gymnasium took place in the subjects Religion, German, and Mathematics. Starting on  October 1, 1888, Albert was a student of Luitpold-Gymnasium in Munich in M\u00fcllerstra\u00dfe 7 in the district Isarvorstadt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5 Luitpold-Gymnasium in Munich, 1912<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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In 1965, the Luitpold-Gymnasium was renamed into Albert-Einstein-Gymnasium to honor him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Luitpold-Gymnasium was an enlightened school. The main focus was on the old languages, Latin and later Greek. The natural sciences and Mathematics were taught more conservative. Albert and other Jews were taught the Mosaic faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taught were the following subjects (mandatory lessons which Einstein attended), (Source: CP, Volume 1):<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1888\/1889: First Latin Class, Department B; Professor: Rudolf Schwenk<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), Latin (7 hours), German (6 hours), Arithmetic (3 hours), Geography (2 hours), Calligraphy 3)<\/sup> (3 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1889\/1890: Second Latin Class, Department C; Professor: Dr. Michael Doeberl<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), Latin (10 hours), German (3 hours), Arithmetic (3 hours), Geography (2 hours), Calligraphy (3 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1890\/1891: Third Latin Class, Department B; Professor: Johannes Ungewitter, later Franz Joseph Engel<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), Latin (10 hours), German (3 hours), Arithmetic (3 hours), History (2 hours), Geography (2 hours), Natural Sciences (1 hour), Physical Education, (2 hours), Calligraphy (2 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1891\/1892: Fourth Class, Department A; Professor: Dr. Ferdinand Ruess<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), German (2 hours) Latin (8 hours), Greek (6 hours), Arithmetic
(2 hours), History (2 hours), Geography (2 hours), Natural Sciences (1 hour), Physical Education (2 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1892\/1893: Fifth Class, Department B; Professor: Franz Joseph Engel<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), German (2 hours) Latin (8 hours), Greek (6 hours), Mathematics (4 hours), History (2 hours), Geography (1 hour), Natural Sciences (1 hour), Physical Education (2 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1893\/1894: Sixth Class, Department B; Professor Dr. Ferdinand Ruess<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (2 hours), German (2 hours) Latin (7 hours), Greek (6 hours), French (3 hours), Mathematics (4 hours), History (2 hours), Physical Education (2 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1894\/1895: Seventh Class, Department A; Professor Dr. Joseph Degenhart<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion (1 hour), German (2 hours) Latin (7 hours), Greek (6 hours), French (3 hours), Mathematics (3 hours), Physics (2 hours), History (2 hours), Physical Education (2 hours)<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3)<\/sup> Calligraphy is the \u201cArt of writing with beauty\u201d.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is not known whether Einstein attended additional courses such as Drawing and Music, as his school files do no longer exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6 Class photograph taken in 1889, Luitpold-Gymnasium, Einstein in the front row, third from the right<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Young Albert was a good student. In the natural sciences and in Mathematics he was, as he liked those subjects very much, a very good to excellent student, but not in the old languages. Maja, Albert\u2019s sister, reported in \u201cAlbert Einstein \u2013 A biographical sketch\u201d: \u201cThe clear, rigorous logical structure of Latin suited his talents, but Greek and modern foreign languages were never his forte. His Greek professor, to whom he once submitted an especially poor paper, went so far in his anger to declare that nothing would ever become of him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of Max Talmud (later: Talmey, 1869-1941), a Jewish medical student, who was invited to the Einstein\u2019s once a week for dinner (according to a Jewish ritual), ten-year old Albert already devoted himself to scientific and philosophical writings, among others to Ludwig B\u00fcchner\u2019s Kraft und Stoff<\/em> and Humboldt\u2019s Kosmos \u2013 Entwurf einer physischen Weltbeschreibung<\/em>. Talmud also recommended him the multivolume work Naturwissenschaftliche Volksb\u00fccher (Scientific Popular Books)<\/em> by Aaron Bernstein (1812-1884), which became one of his favorite readings. \u201eHe devoured this kind of literature like other boys devour books about Indians\u201c<\/em>, wrote Rudolf Kayser, Einstein\u2019s son-in-law, under the pseudonym Anton Reiser in his Einstein biography Albert Einstein \u2013 A Biographical Portrait<\/em> \u2013 published in 1930.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aged 67, Albert Einstein remembered this time and the Naturwissenschaftliche Volksb\u00fccher (Scientific Popular Books).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn doing so I had the good fortune of encountering books that were not too particular regarding logical rigor, but that permitted the principal ideas to stand out clearly. This occupation was, on the whole, truly fascinating; there were peaks, whose impression could easily compete with that of elementary geometry \u2013 the basic idea of analytical geometry, the infinite series, the concepts of derivative and integral. I also had the good fortune of getting to know the essential results and methods of the entire field of the natural sciences in an excellent popular exposition, which limited itself almost throughout to qualitative aspects (Bernstein\u2019s Popular Books on Natural Science, a work of five or six volumes), a work, that I read with breathless attention.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source 5)<\/sup>:<\/span> Albert Einstein, \u201dNekrolog\u201c, (\u201cAutobiographical notes\u201c, 1946)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About the second \u201cwonder\u201d, the encounter with a Geometry book<\/strong>, 67 year old Einstein also writes in his \u201cNekrolog\u201d, (\u201cAutobiographical notes\u201d):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the age of twelve I experienced a second wonder of a totally different nature – in a little book dealing with Euclidean plane geometry, which came into my hands at the beginning of a school year. Here were assertions, as for example the intersection of the three altitudes of a triangle in one point, that \u2013 though by no means evident \u2013 could nevertheless be proved with such certainty that any doubt appeared to be out of the question. This lucidity and certainty made an indescribable impression upon me. That the axioms had to be accepted unproved did not disturb me. In any case it was quite sufficient for me if I could base proofs on propositions whose validity appeared to me beyond doubt. For example, I remember that an uncle told me about the Pythagorean theorem before the holy geometry booklet had come into my hands. After much effort I succeeded in \u201cproving\u201d this theorem on the basis of the similarity of triangles; in doing so it seemed to me \u201cevident\u201d that the relations of the sides of the right-angled triangles would have to be completely determined by one of the acute angles. Only whatever did not in similar fashion seem to be \u201cevident\u201d appeared to me to be in need of any proof at all. Also, the objects with which geometry is concerned seemed to be of no different type from the objects of sensory perception, \u201cwhich can be seen and touched\u201d.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncle Jakob who had a comprehensive mathematical education as an engineer, promoted Albert\u2019s enthusiasm. Young Albert very much enjoyed solving complicated tasks of applied Arithmetic. When solving these tasks he only gave up when he found the respective solution. In those cases Albert was very happy. Maybe he already knew back then which professional way he wanted to go according to his abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the deep philosophical conversations with his mentor, the medical student Max Talmud, and the promotion by his uncle Jakob, his scientific interest was aroused and enlarged, he no longer just enjoyed Mathematics but already began to deal with the basic questions of natural sciences at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than his teachers at the Gymnasium who pedantically put more emphasis on prompt knowledge than on the ability of searching and thinking, Max Talmud knew how to stimulate young Albert to think independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to his own words, Einstein began to make himself familiar with the elements of Mathematics, including the principles of differential and integral calculus as of the age of 12 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the help of a teacher and a rabbi he prepared in 1891 to become a \u201cBar Mizwa\u201d, a full member of the Jewish community. However due to Albert\u2019s developing free thoughts, he did not go to the \u201cBar Mizwa\u201d. Albert\u2019s only distraction during this time was music. He already played the sonatas of Mozart and Beethoven on the violin, whereas his mother accompanied him on the piano. He himself also played the piano. Making music made it easier for him to think. He maintained this kind of distraction throughout his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7 Albert Einstein, 1893<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Einstein did not feel that comfortable at the Gymnasium. He did not like the kind of lessons in most of the subjects, and furthermore his class teacher did not seem to like him very much. Also the other teachers did not consider him very talented. Also the strict Prussian school discipline and the connected drill were not his thing. He developed an aversion against each kind of regimentation. In late years he compared the teachers of the elementary school with sergeants, and the teachers at the Gymnasium with lieutnants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1940, Einstein wrote in a draft letter to Philipp Frank: \u201c\u2026 the spiritless and mechanized teaching method with which I had great difficulties because of my bad memory for words seemed totally pointless to overcome. So I preferred to endure each kind of punishment rather than learning to memorize.\u201d<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As already mentioned, the family moved to Italy in June 1894. Albert stayed alone in Munich because he wanted to finish his education at the Gymnasium, and he lived with distant relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 7th grade, his class teacher Dr. Degenhart sent for Albert and asked him to leave the school. Regarding Albert\u2018s objection that he had not done anything wrong, the class teacher only answered: \u201cYour mere presence ruins my respect in class.\u201d<\/em> Albert, who even at the beginning of the 7th<\/sup> grade still could not acquire a taste for the authoritarian spirit of the school, and who over time always had greater problems with some teachers, left the Gymnasium early in December 1894 and without any degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be able to leave the school, he got a certificate from his general practitioner in which he was certified a \u201cneurasthenic exhaustion\u201d 4)<\/sup> which made an interruption of the school necessary. He presented this certificate to his teacher and requested, based on the medical certificate, himself his dismissal from school. On December 29, 1894, 15 year old Albert Einstein left Munich and travelled with the train to Milano to his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4)<\/sup> \u201cneurasthenic exhaustion\u201d: chronic fatigue and reduced performance, often accompanied by increased nervousness and physical problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albert\u2018s parents were very shocked by his unauthorized way of acting. Only when he explained to them that he would not return to Munich and that he wanted to prepare autodidactically until autumn for the entrance examination at the Eidgen\u00f6ssische Polytechnische Schule (ETH), they were satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the end of Albert Einstein\u2018s time in Munich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One possible additional reason to leave Germany was the threatening compulsory military service. If he still had been in Germany at the age of 17, he would have become liable to military service. In 1896, when he is 17 years old, Albert Einstein renounces \u2013 with the consent of his father \u2013 the citizenship of W\u00fcrttemberg and thus also the German citizenship. For the next five years, he will be stateless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

06\/26<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrations Credits:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Domain: 1
Gerhard Willhalm, Munich: 2
The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Volume 1: 3
Archive of the author: 4
Stadtarchiv Munich, Signatur FS-STB-1025: 5
Stadtarchiv Ulm, Signatur G7\/3.1 – 5606: 6
Public Domain: 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

5)<\/sup> Einstein\u2019s \u201cAutobiographical notes\u201d is his last larger literary work and complements his \u201cNekrolog\u201d which he had written in 1946 for the volume published by P. A. Schilpp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bibliography:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hrsg. John Stachel, et al.<\/td>The Collected Papers of Albert<\/strong> Einstein<\/strong>, Volume 1<\/td>Princeton 1987<\/td><\/tr>
Anna Beck, Translator, Peter Havas, Consultant<\/td>The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein<\/strong>, Volume 1, English translation of selected texts<\/td>Princeton 1987<\/td><\/tr>
Editor: P. A. Schilpp<\/td>Albert Einstein als Philosoph und Naturforscher<\/strong><\/td>Braunschweig 1983<\/td><\/tr>
Hanoch Gutfreund, J\u00fcrgen Renn<\/td>Einstein on Einstein<\/strong><\/td>Princeton 2020<\/td><\/tr>
Walter Isaacson<\/td>Einstein \u2013 Die Biografie<\/strong><\/td>Munich 2024<\/td><\/tr>
Albrecht F\u00f6lsing<\/td>Albert Einstein \u2013 Eine Biographie<\/strong><\/td>Frankf\/Main 1993<\/td><\/tr>
Armin Hermann<\/td>Einstein \u2013 Der Weltweise und sein Jahrhundert<\/strong><\/td>Munich 1994<\/td><\/tr>
Philipp Frank<\/td>Einstein \u2013 Sein Leben und seine Zeit<\/strong><\/td>Munich 1949<\/td><\/tr>
Anton Reiser<\/td>Albert Einstein \u2013 A biographical portrait<\/strong><\/td>New York 1930<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cA wonder [\u2026] experienced as a child of four or five years when my father showed me a compass. [\u2026] I can still remember \u2013 or at least believe I can remember \u2013 that this experience made a deep and lasting impression upon me.\u201d Albert Einstein “Autobiographical notes” 5), 1946 Albert Einstein in Munich Munich […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2911","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2911"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3077,"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2911\/revisions\/3077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/einstein-website.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}