Einstein’s Escape from Hitler: A Tale of Genius and Survival

Albert Einstein is widely recognized as one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, and his escape from Nazi Germany during the rise of Adolf Hitler is a fascinating chapter in his life. As a leading physicist and a prominent Jew, Einstein faced significant challenges as the Nazi regime implemented policies targeting Jews and other minorities.

The Early Warning Signs

When Adolf Hitler came to power in January 1933, the world was unaware of the full extent of his plans. Albert Einstein, who had been working at Berlin University, had already sensed the impending danger. Having anticipated Hitler's rise to power, Einstein had left Germany in 1932. Unfortunately, he was unable to return to his homeland due to his Jewish heritage. In March 1933, he and his wife, Elsa Einstein-Koch, arrived in Antwerp on the SS Belgenland, owned by the shipping company Red Star Line.

Belgium quickly offered Einstein round-the-clock police protection from the royal family. However, Einstein made a point to avoid the watchful eyes of the police and did not take seriously the rumors of an impending assassination attempt. This was despite his awareness of the disturbing history of political assassinations in post-war Germany, which included the famous murder of Germany's foreign minister, Walther Rathenau, a friend of Einstein who was murdered in broad daylight in 1922.

Escalating Tensions

Eleven months after Hitler's ascent to power, on August 30, 1933, Nazi extremists shot an associate of Einstein, Theodor Lessing, who was a controversial German-Jewish philosopher. This incident spurred immediate press reports suggesting that Einstein was next in line. Urged by his wife, Elsa Einstein, Einstein decided to leave Belgium in a bid to avoid any potential retribution from the Nazis.

Taking a boat across the English Channel, Einstein found himself in London. However, instead of returning to his familiar borough in Oxford, he was directed to a secret refuge in the English countryside. The hut, a thatched wooden holiday cabin, was located in a remote area near Norfolk, England, close to the sea in the coastal town of Cromer. For six weeks, Einstein lived in this rural setting, guarded by a small group of local English people led by a conservative member of parliament, who was also a decorated veteran of the First World War, and accompanied by several firearms to ensure his safety.

Permanently in Exile

In October 1933, Einstein decided to travel to the United States. In 1935, he made up his mind to stay permanently in the U.S. and applied for U.S. citizenship. He never returned to Europe again, exemplifying the significance of his escape.

The escape of Albert Einstein from Hitler is not just a tale of an individual's survival, but a broader story of a period marked by radical change and persecution based on ethnic and religious affiliations. Einstein’s journey teaches us about the perils of complacency in the face of rising totalitarianism and the importance of quick and strategic action in times of danger.