The Foundation for the Development of Education for Industry,
in collaboration with the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw,
proudly presents a previously unknown and unpublished correspondence
between Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein,
spanning the years 1911 to 1932.
Maria Skłodowska-Curie Albert Einstein The Letters/1911–1932/
Maria Skłodowska-Curie holds a unique position in the history of science as the only individual to have been awarded two Nobel Prizes in distinct disciplines—Physics and Chemistry. Despite this unparalleled achievement, she is often erroneously regarded solely as a French scientist, known as Marie Curie. Poland, her homeland, has done relatively little to reclaim her legacy. Indeed, since 1945, there has been only one feature film made about her life, directed by French filmmaker Marie Noëlle in 2016—a Polish-French-Belgian-British co-production. While three other scientists have also received two Nobel Prizes, their awards were confined to the same disciplines (John Bardeen in Physics, Frederick Sanger and Karl Barry Sharpless in Chemistry). Linus Carl Pauling stands out with his awards in Chemistry and Peace; however, Skłodowska-Curie's unique duality remains unmatched.
Więc kiedy w październiku 2023 roku dr Katarzyna Falęcka zapytała:
It was in October 2023 when the daughter of Mrs. Ewa Łabno-Falęcka, President of the Foundation for the Development of Education for Industry, Katarzyna asked her if she knew that Maria Skłodowska-Curie was one of the first women to hold a truck driving licence?
This intriguing revelation became the catalyst for a deeper exploration of the life of this extraordinary Polish scientist. There is so much about her that remains unknown.
dr Ewa Łabno-Falęcka
Prezeska Fundacji Rozwoju Edukacji of Education for Industry
As Dr Ewa Łabno-Falęcka writes in her editorial foreword:
I did not know. Today, I have learned that Skłodowska-Curie obtained a driving licence to load X-ray machines onto a truck gifted to her and drive to the frontlines of World War I. I also did not know that this great scientist corresponded with Albert Einstein for over two decades. What a story! Two giants of world science exchanged letters—she in French, he in German.
Where are these letters? What did they discuss? These questions were the trigger and the foundation of this publication
A Story of an Extraordinary Friendship
The letters between Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein offer an unparalleled insight into the fascinating relationship between two titans of science—spanning scientific discussions to deeply personal reflections. Their correspondence stands as a testament to an extraordinary friendship, intellectual kinship, and mutual respect that endured over twenty years.
This publication is the result of meticulous archival research conducted across various institutions, including the National Library of France, Musée Curie, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, ETH Zurich, and Princeton University. The research team uncovered 26 letters and an unpublished postcard sent by Einstein to Skłodowska-Curie from Brazil.
Permission to publish Maria Skłodowska-Curie's letters was graciously granted by her descendants, Professors Hélène Langevin-Joliot and Pierre Joliot. They commended the publication's unique value and importance to contemporary readers. In the foreword, they wrote:
The first publication of the correspondence between Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein is a groundbreaking event. It is with particular emotion that we read these letters, exchanged over two decades—from 1911 to 1932.
Prof. Hélène Langevin-Joliot, Prof. Pierre Joliot (Grandchildren of Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie, children of Irène Joliot-Curie and Frédéric Joliot)
Albert Einstein's letters have been published with the permission of Princeton University Press, based on The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein: Volumes 1–16 (1879–1929), issued by Princeton University Press and the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Permission was also granted by HUJI, with special thanks to Hanoch Gutfreund.
This unique book, for the first time in Polish, presents the complete correspondence between Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein. The letters exchanged between 1911 and 1932 reveal their friendship, mutual respect, and commitment to science and humanistic values.
The beautiful, collector's edition in Swiss binding and case includes
• Facsimiles of the original letters
• Author's translation of the letters into Polish
• Photos, documents, and graphic details highlighting the character of the era.
With great enthusiasm, distinguished professors accepted the invitation to collaborate, enriching the publication with their critical texts and comments:
The letters exchanged between Albert Einstein and Maria Skłodowska-Curie constitute a unique historical episode in this collection. They are a testament to the special relationship between two great scientists. However, the foundation of their lasting friendship and mutual recognition was not only their shared interest in science but above all their mutual admiration for each other's dedication to human values and social engagement.
prof. Hanoch Gutfreund
Custodian of Albert Einstein's legacy, theoretical physicist, former rector and president of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
In March 1913, on the occasion of delivering a lecture in Paris, Einstein, along with his wife Mileva, stayed with Skłodowska-Curie in her new apartment at quai de Béthune, in a prestigious area in the city center. Both were dazzled by the splendor of the French capital and the warm reception, as indicated by a thank-you note to the hostess and a letter Einstein sent to the scientist upon returning to Zurich. In this letter, he also reminded her of the planned joint trip to the Swiss Alps, in which Skłodowska-Curie with her daughters and Einstein with his wife and sons – Hans and Eduard – were to participate.
prof. Jan Piskurewicz
Institute of the History of Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
In the private and professional life of Maria Skłodowska-Curie, exchanging letters with close ones and fellow scientists played an extremely important role. The scientist wrote thousands of them – sometimes just a few sentences, other times providing professional and extremely precise scientific advice. Even when she was seriously ill, she tried to fulfill her duties and wrote or dictated letters to her daughters or secretary. There is no doubt that Maria Skłodowska-Curie left a mark not only on the physical and chemical aspects of the Universe but also, and perhaps most importantly, on her fellow scientists.
dr hab. Tomasz Pospieszny
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
The publication
The publication is an ideal proposal for scientific institutions, libraries, cultural centers, and companies interested in promoting knowledge and culture. We encourage you to contact the Foundation for the Development of Education for Industry for additional information, orders, and cooperation in promoting the book.
