Albert Einstein Declines an Invite to Speak in Philadelphia, a Day After His 71st Birthday Albert Einstein Declines an Invite to Speak in Philadelphia, a Day After His 71st Birthday

15/03/1950. But the chronic illness that would lead to his death was already bothering himMartin Oppenheimer was for years on the faculty of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and was co-editor of “Sociologists and the Movement” (published by Temple). He also wrote many articles about the 1950s and 1960s in numerous publications. Afterwards leaving Temple, he was Assistant Director of Studies of the American Friends Service Committee.While at Temple he was a member of the Temple Socialist Club. In that capacity, he invited Albert Einstein to speak to the club. Unfortunately Einstein was not well and could not accept the invitation.Einstein's birthday (truncated) was March 14, 1879.Typed letter signed, on his Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, Princeton, March 15, 1950, to Oppenheimer. “Thank you for the invitation to address your rally. Poor health, however, does not permit me anymore, to participate in such activities.”Einstein’s statement was not just an excuse. In 1950 his health was generally poor, marked by chronic digestive issues including liver ailments, stomach ulcers, inflammation of the gall bladder, jaundice, and intestinal pains. And later, there was a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm that led to his death in 1955 at age 76. (Inventory #: 33354)