10 Times Well-Loved Scientists Were Total Jerks
2. Albert Einstein - Made His Wife Sign A Contract, After He Cheated On Her
Surely not poor old Einstein? Brilliant, avuncular Einstein who smoked a pipe and unlocked the secrets of the universe?
Well, as brilliant as his mind and his work are, it turns out that old Albert was not too hot at the whole marriage thing. As the whole thing began to crumble due to naughty Einstein and his extra-marital affairs, he made a last-ditch attempt to save it.
How did he do this? Did he take some time off work to spend with his family? Did he spice things up in the bedroom? Did he offer to cook his signature bolognese for dinner once a week? Nope, what Einstein decided to do was draw up a marriage contract in which he would stipulate his demands of his long-suffering (and presumably fuming) wife. The contract read thusly:
Albert Einstein’s Wedding (Marriage) Contract:
A. You will make sure
- that my clothes and laundry are kept in good order;
- that I will receive my three meals regularly in my room;
- that my bedroom and study are kept neat, and especially that my desk is left for my use only.
B. You will renounce all personal relations with me insofar as they are not completely necessary for social reasons. Specifically, you will forego
- my sitting at home with you;
- my going out or traveling with you.
C. You will obey the following points in your relations with me:
- you will not expect any intimacy from me, nor will you reproach me in any way;
- you will stop talking to me if I request it;
- you will leave my bedroom or study immediately without protest if I request it.
D. You will undertake not to belittle me in front of our children, either through words or behavior.
Talk about an old romantic.