l v i i i E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D
that were prepared during his lifetime are noted. If an original manuscript is
available, small differences are recorded in endnotes. If the manuscript diverges
substantially from the printed version, the dissimilar portions of the manuscript are
presented as a separate text, preceding the printed version. When no manuscript,
typescript, or printed version in the original language is available, a published
translation is used. An English translation, authorized by Einstein as the first pub-
lished version, is printed after the German text, if the latter is available.
Where a set of discussion fragments in Einstein’s hand exists, it will serve as the
source of a text rather than the published version of those remarks. Significant vari-
ations in all available texts will be noted.
PRESENTATION
Each text is given a number and an English title. A translation of the original title
is used, when such a title exists. Letters are titled by the name of the author or re-
cipient other than Einstein, whereas Einstein’s name is omitted when he is the au-
thor or recipient.
Published writings are reproduced in facsimile; all other material included in
this edition is newly typeset. Texts in both series are ordered chronologically. Pub-
lished papers are dated by the date of completion, if known; otherwise, by the date
of submission, reception, or publication. If a temporal span is attributed to a docu-
ment, the earlier date determines its position in the volume. An undated text
enclosed with or inserted in another text follows the latter, unless evidence suggests
an earlier or later origin.
Editorial comments on a set of discussion fragments, which together comprise a
document, are set in a smaller font size to distinguish them from the text. The edi-
torial comments precede the Einstein text and also serve to summarize the content
of a paper, lecture, address, or statement to which the Einstein text is a response.
An English running head and a running page number appear above the rule on
every page of text. Numbers indicating editorial endnotes are presented in square
brackets in the margins of texts reproduced in facsimile, directly adjacent to the line
containing the passage or equation upon which the note comments. Annotation be-
gins after the last page of a facsimile text.
The texts presented in facsimile in the Writings volumes preserve all relevant
features of the original publication, including pagination, note placement, and run-
ning heads. Parts of texts not relevant to this edition but appearing on the same page
as text by Einstein are reproduced in lighter type. On the page preceding the text,
the reader will find the document number, English title, the document’s short title