Johanna Fantova

Prague

General Notes

Fantova met Einstein in the 1920s in Europe and then renewed the friendship in the United States during World War II. The two ate dinners and went sailing together in Princeton; she cut his hair, and he wrote poems to her. They also spoke by telephone two or three evenings a week. She compiled notes from their conversations into a 62-page manuscript, which is written in German and covers the period from October 1953 to Einstein's death in April 1955.

Occupation Details
- Johanna's occupation was Librarian in Princeton, New Jersey.
  - Occupation Notes
    - In 1929, Fantova catalogued Einstein's extensive collection of books, which had been disorganized. The two became friends and sailed together near Einstein's home in Germany. Just before World War II, Fantova moved alone to the United States and immediately visited Einstein in Princeton. Recalling her earlier work in his library, Einstein suggested Fantova pursue library school as a means of support. By 1944, she had completed her training and earned a position in the Princeton University library. In 1954, she was appointed curator of maps.