Now, a copy of that letter, also signed by Einstein, has sold at a Christie's auction for $3.9 million.
Though Einstein didn't write the letter, his worldwide esteem meant his signature added significance and credibility to the letter.
Einstein's influence on the Manhattan ProjectEinstein's letter to Roosevelt sold for nearly $3.9 million at auction.
Related storiesFor Szilard and Einstein, the possibility of the Germans creating a nuclear weapon was reason enough to write President Roosevelt.
AdvertisementOnce Germany surrendered, however, Szilard and Einstein no longer felt the use of nuclear weapons was justified.
Persons:
—, Albert Einstein, Franklin Roosevelt, Einstein, Roosevelt, Franklin, Peter Klarnet, Christie's, Einstein didn't, Paul Allen, Allen, Malcolm Forbes, Leo Szilard's, Szilard, Adolf Hitler's, Bertrand Russell, Russell
Organizations:
Service, Business, Manhattan Project, Microsoft, Guardian, Manhattan, US Army Intelligence, Einstein
Locations:
New York, Christie's, Germany, Hungarian, Europe, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Japan