Helen Dukas
Encyclopedia
Helen Dukas was Albert Einstein
's secretary. She also co-authored Einstein: Creator and Rebel and co-edited Albert Einstein: The Human Side with Dr. Banesh Hoffmann
. Dukas was one of two trustees chosen by Einstein, according to his Last Will and Testament, to hold the literary rights to all of his manuscripts, copyrights, publication rights, royalties, and royalty agreements. The other trustee was the economist
Dr. Otto Nathan
. In short, Dukas and Dr. Nathan were the "executors of his literary heritage." They collaborated on the compilation of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, using documents that were subsequently donated to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Fred Jerome wrote a book alleging that Einstein and Dukas were subjected to intrusive surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
under J. Edgar Hoover
.
, that Elsa Einstein, Albert Einstein's second wife, hailed from. It was through this connection that Helen Dukas would gain the position as Albert Einstein's secretary in 1928. Following Elsa Einstein's death in 1936, Dukas would take on many of the housekeeper
tasks for the Einstein family, by this point living in Princeton, New Jersey
, where Dukas would remain until her death.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
's secretary. She also co-authored Einstein: Creator and Rebel and co-edited Albert Einstein: The Human Side with Dr. Banesh Hoffmann
Banesh Hoffmann
Banesh Hoffmann was a British mathematician and physicist known for his association with Albert Einstein.-Life:Banesh Hoffmann was born in Richmond, England, on 6 September 1906...
. Dukas was one of two trustees chosen by Einstein, according to his Last Will and Testament, to hold the literary rights to all of his manuscripts, copyrights, publication rights, royalties, and royalty agreements. The other trustee was the economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
Dr. Otto Nathan
Otto Nathan
Otto Nathan was an economist who taught at Princeton University , New York University , Vassar College , and Howard University .Dr...
. In short, Dukas and Dr. Nathan were the "executors of his literary heritage." They collaborated on the compilation of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, using documents that were subsequently donated to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Fred Jerome wrote a book alleging that Einstein and Dukas were subjected to intrusive surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
under J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
.
Early life
Her name was actually Helene and she was the daughter of a German-Jewish merchant named Leopold Dukas. Born, raised and educated initially in Freiburg im Breisgau, she had six siblings and a son named David, and her mother was named Hannchen (née Liebmann). Hannchen Dukas was coincidentally from the same town, HechingenHechingen
Hechingen is a town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated about south of the state capital of Stuttgart and north of Lake Constance and the Swiss border.- City districts :...
, that Elsa Einstein, Albert Einstein's second wife, hailed from. It was through this connection that Helen Dukas would gain the position as Albert Einstein's secretary in 1928. Following Elsa Einstein's death in 1936, Dukas would take on many of the housekeeper
Housekeeper (servant)
A housekeeper is an individual responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the interior of a residence, including direction of subordinate maids...
tasks for the Einstein family, by this point living in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, where Dukas would remain until her death.