Letter from Albert Einstein

In this letter, Albert Einstein expressed his concern about the threat of atomic war between nations and the issue of control of atomic energy among nations worldwide. Einstein, and other scientists who were part of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, believed atomic energy could safely be controlled and explored through cooperative institutions. Additionally, Einstein pushed for an effort in public education about atomic energy and included his article "Atomic War or Peace." 

The Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists was created by Leo Szilard and Albert Einstein in 1946, following the petition Szilard and other scientists sent to President Harry S. Truman in 1945. The organization aimed to educate the public about the dangers of developing nuclear weapons, promote the development of peaceful ways nuclear energy could serve mankind, and work towards world peace. Albert Einstein served as chairman of the group, having already garnered fame and prestige for his work in physics and developing the theory of relativity.

This is one of two letters written by Albert Einstein included among the records of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Central Subject Files, 1946–1963.

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Letter from Albert Einstein, Chairman of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, November 29, 1947. National Archives Identifier: 7873451.

View and download the Letter from Albert Einstein in the National Archives Catalog. You can explore more records held in the National Archives at College Park through the National Archives Catalog or by visiting our research room in person. These records are located in Record Group 84: Records of the Foreign Service Posts of the Department of State, Series: Central Subject Files, 1946–1968.

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