People have argued about the extent to which Mileva Marić, Einstein’s first wife, contributed to his work. Some say the basic ideas for relativity came from Mileva, others say she was nothing more than a sounding board. Letters from Albert to Mileva refer to “our” theory and “our” work, and in his divorce agreement he promised her his Nobel Prize money, but did not publically acknowledge any contribution to his work.
Although she was his companion during the crucial years before his “annus mirabilis”, we may never know the extent of their collaboration. What is clear is she was passionate about him, and passionate about his (or their) ideas.
In a recent COSMIC LOG Senta Troemel-Ploetz, German linguist, author and Mileva’s staunch defender, is quoted quoting me, mentioning the “subtler issues of collaboration”.
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