Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Einstein took time to assimilate the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Then he began agitation to safeguard against any future use. He emphasised the need for a world government and did not believe the United Nations could act effectively to prevent war. Meanwhile relations between the western powers and the Soviet Union deteriorated markedly. President Truman adopted a ‘get-tough’ policy. Einstein played a leading role in founding the Emergency Committee of the Atomic Scientists, of which he became chair. Pauli won the Nobel Prize just before he returned to Zurich; Einstein eulogised him. Einstein supported Paul Robeson during persecution by the authorities and right-wing vigilantes and spoke out against the frequent lynchings in southern states. Several of Einstein’s friends died, including Langevin and Planck. Einstein became embroiled in another academic controversy, involving the foundation of what became Brandeis University. He eventually withdrew all involvement and for years refused any reconciliation with the Brandeis academic leadership. Schrödinger claimed to have found a unified theory. The resulting disagreement soured his relations with Einstein for a couple of years. Mileva’s health declined and she died in August 1948. Maja also became an invalid, preventing her return to Italy. Albert Schweitzer and Einstein began to correspond. The state of Israel was founded, with Chaim Weizmann as its first president. Einstein fell ill and during the operation, an aneurysm was discovered that might burst at any time. He recuperated in Florida. His seventieth birthday was celebrated in Princeton with a symposium.</jats:p>