D O C . 2 5 W H AT I S T H E T H E O R Y O F R E L AT I V I T Y ? 2 1 1
of 0.87″, i.e., the value predicted by Newton’s theory (see The Observatory 42 [1919]: 364). Frederick
A. Lindemann (1886–1957), Professor of Experimental Philosophy at the University of Oxford and
Head of its Clarendon Laboratory, informed Einstein in considerable detail about the resistance of
several leading British scientists. He also added that reports in The Times of how relativity overturned
Newton’s theory had “wounded national feeling and greatly alarmed the world” (“hat . . . das national
Gefühl verletzt & die Welt in grosse Aufregung versetzt”; Frederick A. Lindemann to Einstein, 23
November 1919). He received similar news from Ehrenfest (Paul Ehrenfest to Einstein, 24 November
1919).
[8]The reference is to a short note in The Times (London), 8 November 1919, p. 12, entitled “Dr.
Albert Einstein,” where he was called “a Swiss Jew.” His academic appointments are listed as: “for
some time professor in mathematical physics at the Polytechnic at Zurich, and then professor at Pra-
gue. Afterwards he was nominated a member of the Kaiser Wilhelm Academy for Research in Ber-
lin.” As to his political stance, “at the time of the Armistice he signed an appeal in favour of the
German revolution. He is an ardent Zionist.” The appeal in question may have been a call to join the
Demokratische Partei. It was published in Berliner Tageblatt (16 November 1918) (see Vol. 8,
Calendar 1918, p. 1029).
[9]Einstein enjoyed his own joke so much that he repeated it for the benefit of Ehrenfest (Einstein
to Paul Ehrenfest, 4 December 1919). On its repercussions in the press, see Doc. 26, note 4.