Albert Einstein – Relativity: The General and Special Theory – First English Edition 1920

A first edition in English of Einstein’s Relativity, one of the most important popular science books of the 20th century, and now rare in this condition.

In the author’s own words, it is  “intended, as far as possible, to give an exact insight into the theory of relativity to those readers who, from a general scientific and philosophical point of view, are interested in the theory, but who are not conversant with the mathematical apparatus of theoretical physics.”

First published in German in 1916, and expanded from a short paper, the book is divided into three parts on the Special Theory, the General Theory, and Cosmology and the broader universe.

The English translation brought Einstein’s work to a mass-market, international audience for the first time, helping to propel him to global icon status later in the 1920s. Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921.

It was also the first edition of the book to be released after the May 1919 solar eclipse, which offered experimental proof of Einstein’s theory that gravity can bend light.

First edition, first printing by Methuen in London in 1920. Hardback, bound in the original red cloth with title to front board and spine. Includes a portrait of the author to the title page, several diagrams and appendices.

In very good condition. Minor fading and wear externally, and foxing/tanning to front endpaper, but otherwise clean and bright inside with no writing. 138 pages.