When the name Albert Einstein is mentioned, it is immediately the name of one of the most influential scientists of all time. His work has revolutionized modern physics and earned him recognition worldwide. But behind the great physicist was a woman who has been kept in the shadows entirely - Mileva Marić, Einstein's first wife and a brilliant mathematician whose role in his early scientific career has always fascinated historians.
Mileva Marić was born on December 19, 1875 in Serbia and she had a great academic gift from an early age. Although she was born with a hip defect and walked with a limp, Mileva refused to let her physical limitations hinder her study. In a time when higher education was almost exclusively for men, Mileva was proficient in math and physics and they were very unusual subjects for women in the late 19th century.
She was encouraged by her father to pursue advanced studies and eventually enrolled in the prestigious Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich (now ETH Zurich). Her admission itself was a groundbreaking moment since very few women in Europe were studying science at such a high level. She was the only woman at all in her mathematics and physics class, where male classmates were all male.
At Zurich Polytechnic Mileva first met a young Albert Einstein, three years younger than her. Their shared interest in mathematics and physics blossomed into a close friendship, which eventually blossomed into romance. Unlike many others from that era, Einstein never let Mileva's physical disability or her status as a woman affect the esteem he had for her intellectual capacity.
The couple married in 1903 and lived together for 16 years. Einstein published several groundbreaking papers in the period that would define modern physics. Over the years, historians have questioned whether Mileva has been directly involved in the development or refinement of some of Einstein's early scientific ideas.
Although there is no unequivocal evidence that she is the co-author of Einstein's revolutionary theories, the letters between the couple reveal that they had talks about mathematics and physics all the time. Mileva, some believe, was an intellectual sounding board, helping Einstein test concepts and solve mathematical problems. But others say she is too much of a story.
Unfortunately, the marriage deteriorated. The couple separated in 1914 and their divorce was finalized in 1919. Just weeks later Einstein married his cousin Elsa Einstein, with whom he had been in love for years.
Mileva largely withdrew from study after the separation. She was focused on her children and Einstein's fame grew in the world after he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. As history recognized Einstein's genius, Mileva’s achievements faded into the background.
Historians and researchers have recently started to re-examine Mileva Marić’s life. Regardless of whether she actually worked on Einstein’s discoveries, she is no doubt one of the most accomplished female science students of all time. Her determination to go to university even when society discriminated against her and she was handicapped physically is truly inspiring.
Mileva Marić is once again regarded as Albert Einstein’s first wife but also one of the many talented women whose contributions to science were often overlooked. She is a great reminder that some of the greatest achievements in history have been made by people whose names have never been recognized.
