Charity Donation of Churchill, Einstein, and De Gaulle Letters Could Raise £20,000 at Auction

A collection of 22 letters from Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Charles De Gaulle and Chiang Kai-shek to Oxford academic of Sir William David Ross and donated to Oxfam come to sale at Chiswick Auctions on October 10. They are expected to raise more than £20,000 for the charity Oxfam.

Sir William David Ross (1877-1971), a Scottish philosopher, translator, World War I veteran and civil servant was provost of Oriel College, Oxford, 1929-47, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford 1941-44. Sitting on many governmental committees, his address book included many of the great and the good of 20th century society.

The collection was donated to Oxfam by the family of Sir William’s daughter, Katherine Ross via Oxfam Valuer Shelley Hitch. In 1942, Katherine joined the first meeting of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief - now known as Oxfam – in her local church. She credited the fact that her father had opened their family home to people fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe with igniting her interest in Oxfam’s work.

Shelley said: ““We are so grateful for the support of Katharine Ross throughout her life and for her family gifting us such treasured and important letters. The money raised will help Oxfam and our partners continue to fight the injustice of poverty around the world. We always ensure Oxfam gets the best possible price for every donation.” 

One of two letters to Ross from Albert Einstein was written (in German) from Cromer in north Norfolk on October 1, 1933. At the time Einstein and his wife Elsa, who had fled from Germany when Hitler came to power, was receiving refuge in the UK before moving to the US on October 17, 1933.  Concerned for the well-being of a colleague, he writes: “Professor Zangger at the University of Zurich, asked me to make you aware of Prof. Stenzel in Kiel, who lost his position. He researches the history of science in ancient Greece and he is not in the position to contact you from Germany. The question is if there is a possibility to invite this gentleman to England or America as a guest lecturer.”

UPDATE: The proceeds of the sale at Chiswick Auctions on October 10 raised £28,000 for Oxfam. The Stenzel letter was sold for £7,500 and the two typed letters signed by Winston Churchill made £2,375 and £1,750 each. The de Gaulle letters realized £500 and the Chiang Kai-shek document made £3,750.