Letters

PERSON OF THE CENTURY

"Albert Einstein's contribution was more than a mere scientific discovery; it was a major leap forward in understanding." MARINUS J. WIJNBEEK Amersfoort, the Netherlands

Your choice of Albert Einstein was brilliantly appropriate on many levels [PERSON OF THE CENTURY, Dec. 31]. By recognizing Einstein as a surrogate for the contributions of science and technology and by recognizing his humanism and faults, you found in one person the important balance that we seek. Beyond acknowledging him for the implications of his famous equation E=mc2, one should credit Einstein with realizing there are peaceful uses of the atom for energy and medical-diagnostic, therapeutic, industrial and environmental applications. You have given those of us who work in this field hope that society will take a new look at what the atom has done for us and what it can do in the future. ANDREW C. KADAK, PRESIDENT American Nuclear Society La Grange Park, Ill.

Like a meteor flashing across the night sky, an intellect as brilliant as Einstein's reminds us that the essence of humanity lies in reveling in the beauty and mystery of the universe. ROBERT J. FARINA Richmond, Calif.

It was an honor to share the century with such a person. A thousand years from now, people will still look upon Einstein with wonder. J. RICHARD GOTT Princeton, N.J.

This issue must surely be the collector's item of the century! Thank you. BEN-ZION SURDUT Cape Town

Evidently Einstein had an affinity for gazing out over the ocean, as depicted in the photograph you ran of him on the beach at Santa Barbara, Calif. In the summer of 1936, when I was a very young boy, he was visiting Watch Hill, R.I. I saw him standing at the end of the pier gazing into a bright sunset, which made his hair appear to be a brilliant golden halo. Over the years, I have supposed that his thoughts that evening were of the significance of E=mc2. JOHN E. GOMENA Pacific City, Ore.

Sheer admiration compels me to commend you on your courageous choice. The bold selection of a man with bad hair, a foreign accent and no recent movies, best sellers or CDs speaks volumes about your journalistic integrity. KEN PROBST San Francisco

Einstein's insights are likely to continue to bear consequences far beyond their original scope. Whereas your runners-up for Person of the Century--Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mohandas Gandhi--responded greatly to stirring events, Einstein created new vistas through his own initiative. These three giants shared the quality of wonderment of a child at play. They were uncommonly tenacious in pursuing their goals and designed novel means to achieve them, yet they could laugh heartily amid arduous circumstances. Their examples will always shine. WILLIAM E. COOPER, PRESIDENT University of Richmond Richmond, Va.

WE FORGET HITLER AT OUR PERIL

In the article "The Necessary Evil?," theologian Martin Marty said, "Five hundred years from now, it won't be Hitler we remember" [PERSON OF THE CENTURY, Dec. 31]. I took great offense at that statement. I say we forget Hitler at our own peril. He didn't carry out the Holocaust alone. He was aided by people in Germany, Poland, Hungary, France and other countries. Hitler showed how thin is the veneer of civilization. ANTHONY M. D'AGOSTINO Memphis, Tenn.

OOPS!

The photograph with the piece by Stephen Hawking [PERSON OF THE CENTURY, Dec. 31] shows Einstein (German) lecturing in Paris (French) using a universal language (mathematics). However, you need a mirror to read it, as your photo is printed in reverse. EDWARD M. STOUT Chicago

One of the beautiful illustrations in your section on the 11th century must, alas, be consigned to the preceding millennium. The mosaic portrait you ran does not represent the 11th century co-Empress Theodora, as your caption indicated, but her predecessor of 500 years earlier, 6th century Empress Theodora. CHARLES SCRIBNER III New York City