Albert Einstein 75 - Dr. Einstein Meets President Franklin D. Roosevelt Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Before Dr. Einstein settled down in Princeton,
He had many offers for professorship
In Universities and Institutes from different countries.
But after meeting Abraham Flexner in America,
And listening to his proposal of a highly graded research
Position at the Institute for Advanced Study- IAS,
Dr. Einstein accepted this offer gladly.

The Institute had no formal curriculum,
Degree programmes or scheduled courses.
It was purely meant for research and exploration.
The Institute had no links with any other
Educational institutes or universities as well.
The salary offered was very attractive. Additionally,
The campus was located near a picturesque place with greenery.

Dr.Abraham Flexner, The Director of the Institute,
Felt great pride in appointing Dr. Einstein as a faculty member.
When Einstein began working at the institute after his arrival,
He found Flexner micro managing and interfering into
All his affairs, like a nagging family member.
Einstein loved freedom, whether in work or in personal life,
And that was the main reason he had accepted this job.

When President Roosevelt invited
Einstein with his wife Elsa to the White House,
Abraham Flexner never informed Einstein about the invitation.
Instead, he replied to the President saying that Dr.Einstein
Wished to avoid publicity and preferred to live a quiet life.
When Einstein heard of this, he was furious.
How could Flexner reply on his behalf to the President of America?

Dr. Einstein felt very unhappy about this incident.
He complained to the Board of Trustees
About Flexner's interference and possessive nature,
And threatened to resign from the faculty.
Meanwhile, he wrote a letter to President Roosevelt,
Profusely apologising for missing out on a precious opportunity
To visit the White House and meet the President of America.

Soon enough, there was another invitation
For the Einstein couple, to the White House.
The invitation arrived by mail during January 1934.
This time, Einstein and Elsa, most happily,
Accepted the invitation to the White House.
The meeting between the Roosevelt and Einstein
Turned out to be both interesting and lively.

Relationship between two individuals,
To make it successful, whether personal or work,
Rests on understanding of each other's preferences.
Here, Abraham Flexner behaved like a Mother Duck,
Sitting over Einstein to protect, guard and guide him.
What one likes, may not be the choice for another; So,
It is always wiser, to live and let live, as each one wishes or desires!

A Biographical Poem