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Jost Winteler (21 November 1846 - 23 February 1929) was a Swiss people professor of Greek language and historyIsaacson (2007), p. 27. at the Kantonsschule Aarau (today called the Old Cantonal School Aarau), a linguist,Marková (2003), p. 183. a "noted" philologist,Brown (2018), p. 252. an ornithologist, a journalist,Overbye (2001), p. 12. and a published poet. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 388.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 23. He served as both a mentorIsaacson (2007), p. 27. and father figureIsaacson (2007), p. 69. to a teenage Albert Einstein, who boarded at his home from October 1895 to October 1896,Calle (2005), p. 344. while he attended his final year of secondary school.Parker (2003), p. 46.
In 1862, he attended school in Nesslau, canton of St. Gallen. Then, from 1862 to 1866, Winteler attended the Progymnasium in Schiers, canton of Graubünden.
Winteler received his Matura, the equivalent of a high school diploma, from the Thurgau Kantonsschule in Frauenfeld, canton of Thurgau. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 388.
Winteler's academic training has been described as "rigorous".Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 22.
Jost met his future wife, Pauline Winteler, in Jena, Germany, while he was studying at the University of Jena.Calaprice & Kennefick & Schulmann (2015), p. 77.
For the next twenty-five years of his life, from 1884 to 1909, Winteler would teach Greek and history at the Aargau Kantonsschule. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 388.
The Aargau Kantonsschule (Aargau Canton School), located close by to an experimental school that had been created by the educational reformer Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, was, "one of the best-regarded in Switzerland".Overbye (2001), p. 12. Like Pestalozzi's school, the Aargau Kantonsschule was a welcoming place where the students were, "allowed to reach their own conclusions".Isaacson (2007), p. 26.
Albert Einstein's only sister, Maja Einstein, once described Winteler's school, which her brother had attended in his youth, as having, "a deservedly high reputation". As such, the school was often attended by foreigners, some of whom had traveled as far away as overseas. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, p. xxii.
On 26 October 1895, Einstein was enrolled as a third-year pupil at the secondary school; the school year had already started three days earlier. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, Notes to Doc. 9. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 372.
Aarau, famously known as the "City of beautiful Gables", was once described by Einstein himself as, "an unforgettable oasis in that European oasis, Switzerland".Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 21. An "enchanting village", Aarau is located in a "magnificent setting" near the Jura Mountains and the Aare River.Parker (2003), p. 45.
Einstein had had to move to Aarau due to the fact that he had failed the general-education half of the two-part entrance exam to the ETH Zurich at Zürich, thereby failing the test overall. He had subsequently been advised by the director of the Polytechnic, Albin Herzog, to finish up his education and obtain his Matura at a local secondary school before returning to Zürich to retake the exam the following year. Gustav Maier, a German weiter according to German Wikipedia, and a mutual friend to both the Wintelers and the Einsteins, helped to arrange for Einstein to board at Winteler's home for a year.Parker (2003), p. 44.Isaacson (2007), p. 38. By this time, Winteler had already boarded several students at his home and was used to such an arrangement. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, Notes to Doc. 9. Einstein's younger sister, Maja, would also board with the Wintelers later on, arriving in September 1899.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 31.Calle (2005), p. 331. She would stay at the Winteler's home for several years, leaving in 1892.Parker (2003), p. 54.
It is noted in Barry R. Parker's book, Einstein: The Passions of a Scientist, that Einstein was "extremely lucky" to be taken in by Winteler and his family.Parker (2003), p. 46.
Einstein's maternal cousin, Robert Koch, was also sent to stay with one of Winteler's neighbors, as he and Einstein were to attend the same school at the same time.Parker (2003), p. 45. However, Winteler's friend, Gustav Maier, wrote to Winteler on 26 October 1895, and advised him that Koch should be, "under your most immediate supervision," and that, if Koch proved too unruly in his new home, he should "swap" rooms with his, "much more mature" cousin, Albert. Maier explained that Einstein would kindly, "make this little sacrifice," for his cousin's sake. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, Doc. 9. But this plan never came to pass. Einstein would remain at Winteler's home for the duration of his stay in Aarau. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, Notes to Doc. 9. Winteler's home was so large that Einstein was able to have his own room.Parker (2003), p. 46.
Two days later, on 29 October, Albert's father, Hermann Einstein, wrote to Winteler to express his gratitude for taking in his son, and praised his hospitality. He wrote: "I have… high hopes regarding the many intellectual benefits his stay there is going to bring him; the stimulating conversations in your house will also be of special benefit to his knowledge." The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, Doc. 11. Hermann looked up to Jost, as he had received a greater education than himself.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 22. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, Doc. 11 and Doc. 14, pp. 10-11. Winteler and Einstein waited to discuss the terms of boarding until after Albert was comfortably settled in his new home.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 22.
According to Walter Isaacson's book Einstein: His Life and Universe, the Wintelers were, "a wonderful family", who helped the young, and shy, Einstein to, "flower emotionally and open himself to intimacy." Albert would sometimes study by himself, but, as Winteler's eldest child would later recount, he would, "more often... sit with the family around the table."Isaacson (2007), p. 27.
The head of the household, Jost, often led the family during their frequent post-supper discussions (or "stimulating conversations", as Hermann Einstein once called them), or else would read aloud at the dinner table instead. These debates featured a variety of topics, some controversial. Winteler actively encouraged his children, and Albert, to speak their minds openly and, "say… whatever they felt, without fear of reprimand."Parker (2003), p. 47.
Winteler's "boisterous" home was also, "a place of books, music, and parties." According to Dennis Overbye, the author of Einstein in Love, Albert, "quickly felt more at home in the Winteler household than he ever felt at his own home."Overbye (2001), p. 12.
The year before he had been invited to stay with the Wintelers, Albert had had to endure isolation and loneliness from the absence of his parents and little sister, who had relocated to Italy so that his father could start a new electrical business after the old one had failed. He was left behind in Münich, Germany (with a "distant relative"Eisinger (2016), p. 30.) so that he could finish his studies. While there, he witnessed the demolition of his beloved childhood home just before his family moved to Italy without him.Highfield & Carter (1993), pp. 19-20. This, coupled with the frustration of having to attend a school that he hated, had resulted in a full-out depression for the 15-year-old Einstein.Calle (2005), p. 23. So life at Winteler's cheerful and stimulating home naturally provided a welcome change for Einstein, and no doubt improved his mood. Einstein's sister herself once wrote in Albert Einstein: A Biographical Sketch, that her brother's stay in Aarau with the Winteler family was, "one of the best periods of his life." The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, p. xxii.
Einstein was so wary of his old school's "philistine"Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 20. and repressive teaching methods that, when he first moved to Aarau, the Aargau Kantonsschule's mere close proximity to Germany was enough to stoke his harbored fears that his new school would just be more of the same. However, upon meeting Winteler, Einstein came to realize that he had nothing to worry about.Parker (2003), p. 45. The teaching style of Winteler's school was in stark contrast to that of the Luitpold Gymnasium, as Einstein would soon come to see, and thoroughly appreciate, for himself. While the Luitpold Gymnasium was, in Einstein's eyes, a "factory of rote learning",Overbye (2001), p. 8. the school that Winteler taught at placed value on, "free action and personal responsibility,"Lacayo, Richard. "Birth of A Beautiful Mind." Time. 26 May 2017: 26. Print. instead. As Maja Winteler-Einstein explains: The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, p. xxii.
The Kantonsschule Aarau turned out to be Einstein's favorite school.Calle (2005), p. 25.
Albert and Marie enjoyed playing the piano together; however, in a large household of ten people, it was a challenge for them to have any privacy.Parker (2003), p. 48.
On 21 December 1895, Winteler would inform his "dear friend", Gustav Maier, by letter that he believed that Einstein and his cousin had, "come to the right place". At the time Winteler wrote this letter, Einstein had been living at his home for about two months.
Hermann was also "exceedingly pleased" that Winteler had expressed a positive view of his son. Towards the end of his letter, Einstein made mention that he was returning Albert's report card that a concerned Jost had forwarded to him;Parker (2003), p. 51. he was not too worried about his son's grades, which he knew would get better in time, for he was used to seeing, "not-so-good grades along with very good ones." The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, Doc. 14. Einstein
Studying in Winteler's constantly busy home was apparently not an issue for the budding genius, for, as his sister later remembered:
Jost's daughter and Albert exchanged numerous, and passionate, love letters during this time that Albert was in Pavia for spring break.Parker (2003), p. 52.
School in Aarau resumed on 29 April, and Einstein returned, once again, to Winteler's house. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 22. The dedication of the Alte Kantonsschule Aarau's new three-story science building took place on 26 April 1896, which Einstein attended. The ceremony was held outside, and August Tuschmidt gave a speech about, "the value of education and the higher principles of life."Parker (2003), p. 52.
On 3 October 1896, Einstein received his graduation certificate (Maturitätszeugnis) from the Aargau Kantonsschule. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 8. He then left Winteler's home in mid-October and headed for his future university in Zürich.Parker (2003), p. 57. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, English translation, p. xxii. His stay at Winteler's home had successfully fulfilled its purpose. After having studied those general education subjects (i.e. literary history, political history, natural sciences, and GermanParker (2003), p. 44.) that he had been remiss in back in early 1895, Einstein passed all of his leaving exams (though he quite nearly failed French), and graduated from the Alte Kantonsschule Aarau. As promised, this meant that he was let into the Zürich Polytechnic without having to retake the entrance exam.Brian (2005), p. 17.
The breakup, which left Marie both heartbroken and vulnerable, placed an inevitable emotional strain on Einstein's familial relationship with the Wintelers. At one point, the tension became so great that a family friend believed that it would be for the best not to mention Einstein's name to the Wintelers. Einstein was also upset as he believed that the Wintelers thought that he was, "living a life of debauchery."Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 31. Yet, despite this, the loving friendship between Jost Winteler, his family, and Einstein would never completely sever. The Winteler and Einstein families would, "long remain entwined". Paul Winteler, Jost's youngest child, would go on to marry Einstein's sister, and Anna Winteler, Winteler's eldest, eventually married Einstein's best friend, Michele Besso.Isaacson (2007), p. 27. With his sister's marriage to Winteler's son, Einstein, "truly became a member of the Winteler family."Herneck (2016), p. 31.
Einstein explained to Winteler that, immediately after having received his parents' letter, he had written directly to the director of the Burgdorf Technikum to apply for a teaching job. He informed the director that his former teachers at the Aargau Kantonsschule could give their opinions on his character and conduct. Einstein also explicitly indicated to the Burgdorf Technikum's director that he and Jost were "personal friends" because he did not want to put his friend in the "awkward" position of having to give an "objective judgment" about him; he noted: "in this way you can easily refrain from giving an opinion if this seems more appropriate to you." The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 177.
The now 22-year-old Einstein also shared with Jost that he was "exceptionally pleased" with teaching and that it had "never occurred to him before that he would enjoy it so much". The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 177. Evidently, Professor Winteler was one of four teachers (the other three being August Tuchschmidt, Friedrich Mühlberg, and Heinrich Ganter) who had inspired Einstein to become a teacher himself.Parker (2003), p. 49.
Albert Einstein found in Professor Winteler both an "Friendship"Parker (2003), p. 47. and a trusted confidant; someone he could turn to whenever he needed to, "vent his frustration," or, "get something off his chest".Isaacson (2007), p. 69.Parker (2003), p. 47. For example, in a letter written on 8 July 1901, Albert confided to Jost that he had been infuriated by Paul Drude, a German professor and editor of Annalen der Physik, a scientific journal on physics. He had sent a letter to Drude several months before, in June, criticizing two points on his work on electron theory, but Drude had written off both of his criticisms. In response, Einstein vowed to Winteler that he would, "soon make it hot for the man," by writing a critical article about Drude. However, he never came through on this particular threat.
Einstein signed off this very same letter with what would become one of his most famous sayings: "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 177.Einstein & Calaprice (2013), p. 161.
In his 7 February 1907 note to Jost, Einstein addressed his friend as, "Dear Professor". He then mentioned that Michele Besso, who was Winteler's son-in-law by his eldest daughter's marriage, and Einstein's longtime best friend, had "probably" gone to Trieste. Einstein had come to this conclusion because he had received a postcard that Besso had sent from Göschenen. He subsequently thanked Winteler for his, "kind letter" and asked him if he would give notice of his next visit to Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, "so that I can look you up". The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 5, p. 29.
Albert would later inform Jost several years later, in a letter written on 23 June 1913, that Besso had once again gone to Trieste, "for a business meeting". It is implied in this letter that Winteler had inquired, in his previous letter, if Besso would know of his youngest son's "whereabouts". Einstein replied that he doubted that Besso would have the answer to his question, though he added that Rosa would, "certainly be able to give you this information". He also encouraged Jost to, "drop in to see me if your path should lead you to Zürich."
In his letter, Albert referred to Paul Winteler, his and Besso's brother-in-law, as "Uncle Paul" in jest. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 5, p. 339. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 5, p. 531.
On 9 January 1914, Einstein, while visiting with Rosa, again wrote to Jost, saying: "I cannot resist the temptation to send you my kind regards". He also promised that he would, "grant myself the pleasure of visiting you," sometime before April. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 5, English translation, p. 375.
When Winteler was 77 years old, he received yet another letter from Einstein on 3 October 1924 (coincidentally, the 28th anniversary of Einstein attaining his graduation certificate from the Aargau Kantonsschule The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 8.). Albert shared with his old friend that he was in Lucerne, visiting with Anna and her husband, Michele, whom he described as "cheerful company". He also nostalgically reminisced on, "those fine, quiet walks near Aarau during which you said so many things to me". The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 14, English translation, p. 330.
Winteler encouraged Einstein to consider himself, "a citizen of the world,"Isaacson (2007), p. and thus may have possibly inspired Einstein to relinquish his German citizenship and become temporarily StatelessnessHerneck (2016), p. 31. (he would remain stateless from 28 January 1896 until 21 February 1901, when he acquired his Swiss citizenship).Calle (2005), p. 24.Calle (2005), p. 344.
Jost is said to have possessed an "edgy honesty",Isaacson (2007) p. 27. and evidently placed great stock in integrity, as he helped his friend, Gustav Maier, to, "found the Swiss branch of the Society for Ethical Culture."Isaacson (2007), p. 38.
Jost, a loving father and husband, clearly had a deeply passionate relationship with his wife, Pauline (who also went by the nickname, RosaIsaacson (2007), p. 27.), as described by a young Albert Einstein in a letter written to Winteler's wife in August 1896: "I already see little Mama as usual again… grinning a bit shyly, as if the professor had given her a very tender kiss." The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 15, English translation, Doc 18e. Hans Byland, a school friend of Einstein's, once described the Winteler family as being "romantically inclined."Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 23.
Winteler and his family appreciated those with, "a great sense of humor". Einstein shared this same, fun-loving sentiment, and would often "laugh heartily" while in their company.Isaacson (2007), p. 27.
Jost, a keen outdoorsman, often took pleasure in organizing kite-flying expeditions and nature hikes that his family and friends (and a few students) would attend regularly.Parker (2003), p. 48. A passionate ornithologist, Winteler quite enjoyed searching for "rare birds" during the outings that he organized. He was also known for the eccentricity of holding conversations with his pet birds.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 23.
While Albert Einstein looked up to and respected his "Papa" Winteler, and found him to be an enduring source of inspiration, he did acknowledge several faults in him; mainly, that he was, "a rather self-willed and complicit," man. However, these were common complaints that he had with everyone he knew. And, despite once complaining to his first wife, Mileva Marić, that Professor Winteler was, "an old schoolmaster, whatever he says", Einstein always held Winteler in the highest esteem.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 22.
Jost has been described as "handsome" and "distinguished-looking".Overbye (2001), p. 12.
Einstein was living in Bern, a Swiss city 52 miles (or 83 kilometers) from Aarau, at the time the tragedy occurred. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 5, Doc. 41. Winteler believed that his son had inherited his mental illness from his wife's side of the family.Highfield & Carter (1993), p. 24.
Carlo Michelstaedter, an Italian writer and philosopher, was Winteler's son-in-law by his eldest son's (Fritz') marriage to Michelstaedter's older sister, Paula. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 13, p. 467.
Jost started losing his voice in 1909. In this same year, he began work as a part-time religious instructor. He retired from teaching in the spring of 1914 and moved to Krummenau, canton of St. Gallen. The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 1, p. 388.
In 2006, a building at the Alte Kantonsschule Aarau, which was originally named after physicist August Tuchschmid (1855-1939), was renamed 'Albert-Einstein-Haus' (or Albert Einstein House) in honor of Winteler's former houseguest.
Winteler's book of poetry, Tycho Pantander
Linguists discussing whether or not Winteler's interest in "linguistic relativity" influenced Einstein's theory of relativity
An old, black and white photo of Winteler's house
A German article that was written about Winteler's photo album photo album, which is decorated with assorted seashells on its front cover
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