History Extra Podcast: The Einstein Murders
Release Date: May 18, 2025
Host: Rob Attar
Author Featured: Thomas Harding
Description: This episode delves into the harrowing story of Robert Einstein, cousin of the renowned physicist Albert Einstein, who became a target of Nazi persecution in Italy during World War II. Through meticulous research and engaging conversations, Thomas Harding unpacks the tragic events and the prolonged quest for justice that followed.
1. Introduction to Robert Einstein
The episode begins with an exploration of Robert Einstein’s early life. As Thomas Harding explains, “Robert Einstein was living with Albert Einstein for the first 11 years of his life” (01:59). Both cousins shared a similar upbringing in Munich, where their fathers were partners in an electrification business. Despite their promising start, the business eventually went bankrupt, prompting the family’s move to northern Italy.
2. Life in Italy: Family and Integration
Robert married Nina, a Protestant from the Valdese sect of Christianity in northern Italy. Together, they settled in Rome, raising two daughters, Lucia and Anna Maria (affectionately called Cici). The family expanded when they adopted Nina’s niece twins, Lorenzo and Paola Mazzetti, following the tragic death of Nina’s brother’s wife. By 1935-1936, the Einstein family had moved to a country house between Rome and Florence, seeking a quieter life away from the turmoil brewing in Europe.
3. Jewish Identity Under Mussolini’s Regime
Thomas Harding addresses the complex situation for Jews in Mussolini’s Italy. Initially, Jews in Italy faced limited persecution compared to their German counterparts. Harding notes, “Jews were actually not at threat more than any other part of society” (05:13). However, Mussolini’s alliance with Hitler in the late 1930s drastically changed this scenario. In 1938, Mussolini implemented racial laws mirroring Germany’s Nuremberg Laws, severely restricting Jewish participation in government and owning property.
4. The German Occupation and the Shift in Persecution
The situation deteriorated further when Germany invaded Italy following Italy's surrender to the Allies. The German army occupied regions including Florence, intensifying the threat to Jewish communities. Harding explains, “The Minister of Interior actually announced on Italian national radio that all Jews had to be rounded up and deported to concentration camps” (08:51). This declaration forced Robert Einstein to flee into hiding with his family in the summer of 1944.
5. The Tragic Night of August 3, 1944
On the evening of August 3, 1944, a unit of German soldiers arrived at the Einstein villa in search of Robert. When they discovered he was in hiding, they detained and interrogated his wife and his daughters. Harding describes the horrific events: “They murdered Nina, Robert's wife, and two daughters, who were 18 and 27” (11:14). This act of violence was atypical for the Nazi operations in Italy, raising questions about the soldiers' specific motivations.
6. Motivations Behind the Murder: A Vendetta
The murder was not just an act of anti-Semitic persecution but a targeted vendetta against Robert Einstein, influenced by his familial connection to Albert Einstein. Harding suggests, “They were hunting down Robert Einstein specifically because he was the cousin of Albert Einstein” (13:30). This vendetta was likely orchestrated by high-ranking Nazi officials, reflecting the regime’s deep-seated animosity toward Albert Einstein, who had already fled Europe and was a prominent critic of Nazi ideology.
7. Aftermath: Robert Einstein’s Despair and Suicide
The loss of his wife and daughters left Robert Einstein utterly devastated. Contemporary accounts reveal his profound grief and guilt. Harding recounts, “Robert would just stare out the window without saying anything” (17:15). Despite encouragement from partisans to survive for the sake of his surviving nieces, Robert remained emotionally broken and ultimately took his own life a year after the murders.
8. The Quest for Justice: War Crimes Investigations
In the immediate aftermath, American forces initiated limited investigations into the Einstein case alongside other war crimes. However, these efforts were insufficient, and the case languished without significant progress. Harding highlights, “The case was closed. The Americans decided that the Italian authority should deal with it” (22:26). This inaction mirrored the broader Italian struggle to address wartime atrocities, exacerbated by the discovery in 1994 of the “Wardrobe of Shame”—a hidden archive containing over 2,000 war crime cases (23:11).
9. Renewed Efforts and Legal Challenges
Decades later, renewed attention emerged as one magistrate uncovered the neglected war crime files. This sparked national debate and investigations into past atrocities. Although some war criminals were prosecuted in the early 2000s, many cases remained unresolved due to the advanced age or death of the perpetrators, and Germany's reluctance to extradite them (26:04). The Einstein family’s pursuit of justice continued, with nieces Lorenzo and Paola actively seeking accountability, albeit facing significant legal and bureaucratic hurdles.
10. Personal Legacy and the Importance of Remembering Victims
Thomas Harding emphasizes the importance of humanizing the victims, stating, “I really wanted to center the lives of those who actually were the victims” (34:52). By focusing on the individual stories of Nina and the daughters, the narrative underscores the personal tragedies behind historical events. Harding believes that remembering the victims as real people helps preserve their legacy and acknowledges the profound impacts of such atrocities on families and communities.
11. Reflection on Systemic Responsibility and Memory
The episode concludes with a contemplation of the broader societal and systemic factors that enabled such crimes. Harding argues that understanding the ideological and organizational underpinnings of the Nazi regime is crucial for preventing future atrocities. He remarks, “This story is an opportunity to really understand more about... why did it happen?” (32:20). By examining both individual actions and systemic failings, the narrative calls for a deeper comprehension of history to foster accountability and remembrance.
Notable Quotes:
- Thomas Harding: “Robert Einstein was living with Albert Einstein for the first 11 years of his life.” (01:59)
- Thomas Harding: “They murdered Nina, Robert's wife, and two daughters, who were 18 and 27.” (11:14)
- Thomas Harding: “I really wanted to center the lives of those who actually were the victims.” (34:52)
- Thomas Harding: “This story is an opportunity to really understand more about... why did it happen?” (32:20)
Conclusion
"The Einstein Murders" episode of the History Extra Podcast offers a profound examination of a lesser-known Holocaust tragedy, intertwining personal narratives with broader historical analysis. Through Thomas Harding’s compelling storytelling, listeners gain insight into the harrowing experiences of the Einstein family and the enduring struggle for justice. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering individual lives amidst the vast expanse of historical atrocities.