Albert Einstein 62 - Einstein's Secretary Helen Dukas Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

In 1928, on a trip to Davos in Switzerland,
Einstein was taken seriously ill with a heart condition.
He was fully confined to bed and it took him a long time
To recuperate and get back to normal life. Meanwhile,
Dr. Einstein's work load, engagements, correspondence
Had increased to such an enormous extent that his wife -
Elsa was unable to take charge of his affairs fully.
With Elsa's consent, Dr. Einstein appointed
A Secretary to take charge of his entire work.
They found a wonderful person named Helen Dukas!

An admirable story of Helene or Helen Dukas!
She was born in Freiburg, Germany, on 17th Oct 1896,
Her father Leopold Lukas, was a merchant from Salzburg,
While her mother Hannchen hailed from Hechingen -
The same native place of Elsa's ancestral family too.
Helen belonged to a large Jewish family. Unfortunately,
Helen could attend school only until fifteen years.
Her mother died early, in 1909 and hence,
She was forced to abandon her school studies,
And shoulder the responsibility of caring for her six siblings.

Helen's father too, died in 1919.
But she was a resolute girl with determination,
And developed strength of character and will power.
She took up a job as a kindergarten teacher
To support and care for her family. In 1921,
She went to Munich to work as teacher for a while,
Then, in 1923, she took up a job in Berlin,
To work as a Secretary in a Publishing house.
Helen never got romantically involved with any man,
And remained unmarried throughout her life.

In 1928, when Elsa advertised for a 'Secretary' for Einstein,
Helen applied for the job and was selected by them.
From 12th April 1928 onwards, she became Dr. Einstein's secretary.
In 1933, Helen emigrated to United States along with Einstein family,
She swore the oath in American Constitution, on 1st October 1940,
Along with Dr Einstein and his step daughter Margot.
Even after Elsa's death in Dec1936, she continued to live
With the Einstein family as a housekeeper.
Dr. Einstein retained a harmonious work relationship with Helen
And worked with her for 27 years, till the last day of his life.

In 1950, Dr. Einstein drew a legal ‘Will',
Naming Helen Dukas and Dr. Otto Nathan as his ‘Executors'.
Of his intellectual property, literary heritage and
Of all his documents, research papers, and writings.
After their life time, it was to be handed over to Hebrew University,
In Jerusalem, to ‘Archive' and preserve his scientific contributions.
These papers are available, even today, for reference and research,
In a Series entitled: 'The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein.'
Helen Dukas co-authored 'Albert Einstein: Creator & Rebel' &
Co- edited-'Albert Einstein-The human side' with Dr Banesh Hoffmann.

Helen Dukas remained extremely loyal and dedicated
To Dr.Einstein, until his death on 18th April 1955.
Thereafter, she guarded and protected his work earnestly,
Collecting, codifying, analysing, and writing about his work,
Until it was handed over to Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Helen breathed her last in Princeton on 10th February 1982.
Rarely are such pure souls born on earth,
Like Helen Dukas, who lived just to serve,
With no selfish mottos or personal gains,
But to remain a guardian angel of a great genius!

A Biographical Poem