Edward B . Lewis

 

Edward B . Lewis

Iconic Life Source

 

Edward B. Lewis was a prominent American geneticist, known for his work in the fields of developmental biology and genetics, particularly his study of the genomes of fruit flies. He was born on May 20, 1918, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in science, which led him to study at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout his life, Lewis made significant contributions that helped lay the foundations of modern genetics and better understand how genes function in organisms.

 

Education

Edward B. Lewis began his higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1939. During his time at the university, he became interested in biology and genetics, which led him to continue his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. At Berkeley, he worked with renowned geneticist George Beadle, who inspired him to delve deeper into genetic research. Lewis excelled in his studies and became an active member of the scientific community, participating in conferences and seminars that helped him develop his critical thinking and research skills.

 

In 1942, Lewis completed his doctorate in genetics. His thesis focused on the genetics of the fruit fly, a model organism widely used in genetic studies due to its short life cycle and ease of laboratory breeding. During his academic training, Lewis learned to use various experimental techniques that he would later apply in his research. The experience gained during this period was fundamental to his future scientific achievements and his development as a renowned researcher.

Contributions to Genetics

One of Edward B. Lewis's most significant contributions was his research on homeotic genes, which are those that control the development of body structures in multicellular organisms. In the 1960s, Lewis and his team identified several homeotic genes in the fruit fly, allowing them to better understand how developmental patterns are regulated in organisms. This discovery had a profound impact on the field of developmental biology and opened new avenues of research in genetics.

 

Lewis's studies led to the identification of a specific group of genes that determine the identity of body structures in Drosophila. These genes are essential for the normal development of the organism, and any mutation in them can result in deformities or malformations. Thanks to his work, scientists were able to draw connections between Drosophila homeotic genes and genes that play a similar role in other organisms, including humans. This demonstrated that there are common evolutionary mechanisms that regulate development in different species.

 

Awards and Recognitions

Edward B. Lewis's career was marked by numerous awards and recognitions throughout his life. In 1995, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with his colleagues Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard and Eric Wieschaus for their research on the development of the nervous system in Drosophila. This award is one of the highest honors in the field of science and recognized the importance of his discoveries in understanding developmental biology.

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Lewis received several other awards throughout his career, including the Shaw Prize and the National Medal of Science. These awards not only reflect his excellence in research but also his influence in training new generations of scientists. Lewis was a mentor to many students and researchers, and his legacy continues through the work of those he taught and guided.

 

Personal Life

Edward B. Lewis had a relatively private personal life, but it is known that he greatly valued the time he spent with his family. He married his wife, Mary Lewis, and together they had three children. Despite his occupations as a scientist, Lewis always found time to enjoy outdoor activities and explore his interest in nature. He was a lover of photography and enjoyed capturing the beauty of the world around him.

 

In addition to his work in the laboratory, Lewis was also involved in scientific outreach. He strongly believed in the importance of communicating science to the public and dedicated time to speaking at schools and universities about genetics and developmental biology. His approachable approach and passion for science inspired many young people to pursue careers in scientific fields, thus contributing to the growth of the scientific community.

Legacy and Contributions to Science

Edward B. Lewis's legacy lives on in modern science. His research on homeotic genes has influenced numerous fields, including developmental genetics, evolutionary biology, and medicine. Thanks to his discoveries, scientists have been able to better understand the mechanisms that govern embryonic development and congenital malformations. The identification of the genes that control development has opened new avenues for research into genetic diseases and has contributed to the advancement of gene therapy.

Furthermore, the methodology Lewis developed to study Drosophila has been adopted by many researchers in the field of genetics. His work has shown that Drosophila is not only a valuable model organism but also fundamental to understanding the biological processes underlying life. Through his research, Lewis has left an indelible mark on science that continues to impact generations of scientists.

Influence on Science Education

Edward B. Lewis also had a significant impact on science education. As a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), he trained many students who later became prominent scientists. Lewis was known for his accessible teaching style and his ability to make complex concepts understandable to his students. His educational approach fostered curiosity and critical thinking, fundamental elements in the development of future researchers.

 

His dedication to teaching and student development was reflected in his commitment to collaborative research. Lewis encouraged his students to actively participate in research projects, providing them with the opportunity to learn and contribute to the advancement of science. This approach not only benefited his students but also enriched the academic environment in which he worked.

 

Publications and Works

Throughout his career, Edward B. Lewis published numerous scientific articles that have been instrumental in the advancement of genetics. His work has been cited in thousands of studies and has served as the basis for subsequent research. Some of his most notable publications include studies on the regulation of homeotic genes and their role in the embryonic development of Drosophila flies.

 

In addition to his scientific articles, Lewis also contributed to books and textbooks addressing topics in genetics and developmental biology. His ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and understandably made him a respected author in his field. His writings have been used in university courses and have served as a reference for researchers worldwide.

 

Final Reflections on His Life and Career

The life and career of Edward B. Lewis are a testament to the importance of scientific research and education. His dedication to the study of genetics and his commitment to training new generations of scientists have left a lasting legacy in the field of biology. Through his discoveries and teachings, Lewis has inspired many to explore the fascinating world of science and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

 

Lewis's influence can be seen in the way scientists approach genetics research today. His methodical approach and passion for discovery continue to serve as a role model for many. As science advances, Edward B. Lewis's work will remain a cornerstone in understanding the mechanisms that govern life and development in all organisms.

With affection,

Ruben

 

 

John Pemberton

 

John Pemberton

The story of the man who invented Coca-Cola

 

1886 - In Atlanta (USA), John Pemberton patented Coca-Cola, a green-colored beverage made from extracts of coca leaves, cola nuts, sugar, caramel, purified water, and carbon dioxide. Beginning in 1919, it spread abroad, achieving great popularity.

 

To understand the birth of the world's most famous beverage, we must go back to the late 19th century. In Georgia (Atlanta, United States), lived Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a chemist and pharmacist from the city whose curiosity and desire for innovation led him to create the best-selling soft drink of today.

 

Georgia was the pioneer state in the United States to adopt Prohibition, renouncing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages during a preliminary experimental period in 1886 and 1887.

 

At that time, the industrial sector was growing at a considerable pace, and with it the long hours of workers, who demanded stimulants to help them cope with the daily grind.

 

Pemberton spent many hours mixing ingredients to create a syrup for digestive problems that would also provide sufficient energy (a new "stimulating and invigorating" drink was the claim of Coca-Cola's early advertising). Among many other remedies and elixirs of the time, there was something different about Pemberton's concoction: the unique flavor that characterizes Coca-Cola, which the Atlanta pharmacist achieved by mixing natural ingredients such as coca leaf, cola nut, and soda water in his laboratory. It was May 8, 1886.

 

With the syrup in a pitcher, Pemberton headed to the now-famous Jacob's Pharmacy, where each glass of syrup, with ice and mixed with carbonated water, began selling for 5 cents. Little by little, this new drink gained a foothold in local society and infiltrated the daily lives of Americans.

 

From a medicinal preparation to a world-renowned brand

 

Frank M. Robinson, Pemberton's bookkeeper, was the one who suggested the name by which the drink became known and even designed the logo, believing that the two capital Cs would create a striking design that everyone would remember.

 

Throughout 1888, Dr. Pemberton sold small portions of his business and, shortly before his death, sold what remained to Asa G. Candler, whose business acumen led him to purchase additional rights and take control. Pemberton died unaware of the worldwide success of the drink he had created.

 

The myth of the Coca-Cola recipe was born in 1892, when Asa G. Candler made some changes to the original recipe and secretly passed them on to his children and heirs: this way, only they could make the successful drink.

 

Pemberton died unaware of the worldwide success of the drink he had created.

 

During 1895, Coca-Cola ceased to be a medicinal preparation and became one of the most popular beverages in North America: its slogan became "delicious and refreshing," and factories began to expand beyond Atlanta, expanding into the United States and neighboring Mexico and Canada. At that time, the first two official bottlers appeared: Benjamin Franklin Thomas and Joseph Brown Whitehead.

 

An unmistakable bottle for a unique flavor

Even at the beginning of the 20th century, Coca-Cola wanted not only the flavor of the beverage to be clearly identifiable and unique, but also its bottle: it had to be curved, highly recognizable (even in the dark or broken), and free of paper labels. So the company contacted 10 glass companies and challenged them.

 

The design of the iconic Contour bottle is inspired by the shapes of a cocoa pod. Left, prototype; right, final design.

 

On November 16, 1915, the Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, registered the patent for the new bottle. Its design, created by a team that included C.J. and William Root (the owners), Swedish architect Alexander Samuelson (the foreman), and employees Earl Dean and Clyde Edwards, was inspired by the oval shape of a cocoa pod with distinctive grooves.

 

This design was the clear winner when Coca-Cola executives and their bottling partners met in early 1916 to choose the bottle they would use from then on, although it was agreed that the shapes would be softened slightly to facilitate production, giving rise to the design we all know and recognize today.

 

In the 1920s, the company began bottling in Europe, also arriving in Spain in 1953.

 

Today, more than 130 years after Pemberton's genius, we can still breathe that entrepreneurial spirit capable of inspiring moments of optimism and happiness and, of course, refreshing the world. And in all this time, Coca-Cola has not stopped evolving.

With affection,

Ruben

Jean Henry Dunant

 

Jean Henry Dunant

Saviors in History

 

AURORA HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE

“There is no man more deserving of this honor, for it was you who, 40 years ago, initiated the international organization for the aid of the wounded on the battlefield. Without him , the Red Cross, the greatest humanitarian achievement of the 19th century, would probably never have been realized.”

These were the words with which Jean Henry Dunant was officially congratulated in 1901, when the International Committee awarded him the first Nobel Peace Prize for his essential role in the creation of the Red Cross and in the beginnings of what would later be known as the Geneva Conventions.

 

Jean Henri Dunant in 1901

 

Jean Henry Dunant's life was one of ups and downs. Born on May 8, 1828, to a wealthy Calvinist Swiss family, he died alone in a hospice on October 30, 1910. He enjoyed great fame and success in business, but in old age, he was exiled from Genevan society, of which he had once been a beloved member, and died forgotten.

 

Dunant's successful and generous parents devoted much time and effort to orphans, parolees, the sick, and the poor. They instilled in young Dunant the value of helping others. As a young man, Dunant himself became involved in humanitarian activities, especially those of a religious nature, because he felt that many moral issues facing society could be addressed through religion. As an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), at the age of 24 he co-founded a YMCA branch in Geneva.

 What inspired Dunant to found a global humanitarian organization? It was in the course of his entrepreneurial activities that he devised this ambitious plan.

 

Along with his vibrant social life and philanthropic work, Dunant also strove to reach his full potential in the business world. He became president of the Financial and Industrial Company of Mons-Gémila Mills in Algeria, where he would develop large tracts of land. In order to obtain water rights, he decided to personally meet Emperor Napoleon III, who was then commanding the French and Italian armies that were expelling the Austrians from Italy. The trip to Solferino, Italy, would completely change his life.

 

Upon arriving in Solferino on June 24, 1859, Dunant witnessed one of the bloodiest battles of the century. When the battle drew to a close, devastated by the suffering of thousands of wounded soldiers abandoned on the battlefield, Dunant organized the local people, especially women and girls, to help the severely wounded soldiers on both sides.

They acted under the motto “tutti fratelli” (“all are brothers”), coined by the local women. Dunant believed that women would play a decisive role in the future of humanity, a potential that should be harnessed for the good of the human race. “The influence of women is an essential factor in the well-being of mankind and will become more and more valuable as time goes on,” he later wrote.

 

Back in Geneva in 1862, Dunant recorded his recollections of the Battle of Solferino and his concerns in a small book titled “Un souvenir de Solferino” (“Souvenir of Solferino”). He described the battle as “pure carnage; a struggle between wild beasts, enraged with bloodlust and violence.” He also developed the idea that there should be a neutral organization to provide assistance to people affected by war: “But why have I revealed all these scenes of pain and anguish, with which I may have aroused feelings of sorrow in my readers? … It is a logical question. Perhaps I could answer it with another question: Would it not be possible, in times of peace and tranquility, to establish relief societies to assist the wounded in times of war through enthusiastic, dedicated, and perfectly qualified volunteers?” he wrote in his book.

 

His plan was destined to become the cornerstone of the organization that would soon be known throughout the world as the Red Cross. “Such societies, once formed and their perpetuity assured, would naturally remain dormant in times of peace... They would not only have to secure the goodwill of the authorities of the countries in which they were created, but also, in the event of war, they would have to request authorization and powers from the rulers of the belligerent states to enable them to carry out their work effectively,” Dunant wrote.

In February 1863, the Geneva Society for Public Welfare appointed a five-member committee, including Dunant, to continue implementing its ideas. The outcome of the initial meetings was the creation of an International Committee for the Relief of Wounded Soldiers in the Field. This organization later became the International Committee of the Red Cross.

 

Geneva Society for Public Welfare (Committee of Five) in 1863

 

At the same time, in his book, Dunant also proposed ideas regarding the need for “a governmental treaty recognizing the neutrality of the organization and allowing it to provide aid in a war zone.” This idea eventually led to the First Geneva Convention, signed in 1864.

 

Dunant's devotion to his humanitarian activities and neglect of his business led to the ruin of his company, generating scandals and ultimately its bankruptcy in 1868.

That same year, he had to resign as Secretary of the International Committee and move to Paris. In his memoirs, "Les Débuts de la Croix-Rouge en France" ("The Beginnings of the Red Cross in France"), he described being reduced to eating a crust of bread for dinner, using ink to blacken his coat and chalk to whiten his shirt collar, and sleeping in appalling conditions.

 

However, he continued to advocate for his ideas during and after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. He even launched an international congress for the “complete and final abolition of the slave trade” in London in 1875. Until 1886, Dunant lived in poverty and traveled throughout Europe on foot.

 

Eventually, he ended up living in the Swiss village of Heiden, where he was given shelter in room 12 of the local hospice for the last 18 years of his life.

However, he was not an unknown beggar. In 1895, journalist Georg Baumberger wrote an article about his meeting with the founder of the Red Cross in Heiden. Baumberger's article was a great success, and Dunant was honored and congratulated for his work. Later, in 1901, he was awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize (with Frederic Passy), becoming the first Nobel Prize winner from Switzerland.

 

Despite his awards and international recognition, Dunant remained in Room 12. He didn't spend a single cent of the prize money he received. Instead, he left the money to various charities in Norway and Switzerland and donated a bed in the hospice to be used by the poorest people of Heiden in times of need. On October 30, 1910, he was placed in a simple grave, without mourners or funeral services, in accordance with his wishes.

 

Jean Henri Dunant's grave at the Sihlfeld Cemetery in Zurich

 

Henry Dunant transformed his personal idea into an international organization, the Red Cross, which would win the Nobel Prize three times. In its 153 years of existence, the International Committee of the Red Cross remains the world's leading humanitarian network, helping people affected by war and disaster in around 150 countries, fulfilling the long-cherished dream of its founder, Jean-Henry Dunant, the man behind the Red Cross.

With affection,

Ruben

Ivan Turgenev

 

Ivan Turgenev

(Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet, and Popularizer of Russian Literature in the West)

 

Ivan Turgenev was a celebrated short story writer, novelist, and poet from Russia.

He was one of the leading writers who played a significant role in popularizing Russian literature in the West. He was the only Russian novelist of his time believed to have a European perspective. His novel Fathers and Sons was one of his most popular works; it is also considered one of the best novels of the 19th century. Both left- and right-wing segments of Russian politics distrusted Turgenev, as the left believed he was being too critical of young revolutionaries, while the right believed he was not critical enough. Most of his works portray a realistic version of Russian peasant life. He was able to bring much love and concern for his homeland, Russia, from the Western world through his writings. Turgenev was often considered shy, restrained, and soft-spoken by his contemporaries, despite being physically well-built with broad shoulders.

 

Also Known As: Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev

 

Died at Age: 64

 

Family:

Father: Sergei Nikolaevich Turgenev

 

Mother: Varvara Turgeneva

 

Siblings: Nikolay Turgenev, Sergei Turgenev

 

Children: Paulinette Turgeneva

 

Country of Birth: Russia

 

Died on: September 3, 1883

 

Place of Death: Bougival, France

 

Cause of Death: Abscess

 

Diseases and Disabilities: Liposarcoma

Key Facts

1. What is Ivan Turgenev known for?

Ivan Turgenev is known for being a prominent Russian novelist and playwright, particularly recognized for his works focusing on social issues and the human condition.

2. What are some of Ivan Turgenev's famous literary works?

Some of Ivan Turgenev's famous literary works include "Fathers and Sons," "A Month in the Country," "Rudin," and "On the Eve."

3. How did Ivan Turgenev's writing style influence Russian literature?

Ivan Turgenev's writing style, characterized by realism and psychological depth, had a significant impact on Russian literature, influencing future generations of writers and contributing to the development of the Russian novel.

4. What themes did Ivan Turgenev often explore in his works?

Ivan Turgenev often explored themes such as love, social class, generational conflict, and the complexities of human relationships in his literary works. 5. How did Ivan Turgenev's works contribute to the Russian literary canon?

Ivan Turgenev's works are considered essential contributions to the Russian literary canon due to their insightful depiction of society, vivid characterizations, and enduring relevance to contemporary readers.

Childhood and Early Life

Ivan Turgenev was born on November 9, 1818, to Sergei Nikolaevich Turgenev and Varvara Petrovna Turgeneva in Oryol, Russia. Sergei was a colonel in the Russian cavalry and belonged to the Turgenev family, which was part of the Tula aristocracy. His mother came from the wealthy Lutovinov family of the Oryol Governorate. He had two brothers, Nikolai and Sergei, and was the second son in the family.

After his formal education, Ivan Turgenev studied for a year at Moscow University. He then studied Classics, Russian Literature, and Philology at the University of St. Petersburg from 1834 to 1837.

He then moved to Germany, where he studied philosophy and history at the University of Berlin. He eventually returned to St. Petersburg, where he took his master's exam.

In 1841, he began his career in the Russian Civil Service, likely to fulfill his mother's wish to see him work in the government, and spent two years of his career in the Ministry of the Interior.

 

Works

Although Ivan Turgenev had written many poems and short stories in his early career, the first work that brought him fame was "A Sportsman's Sketches," a collection of short stories published in 1852. The stories were based on his observations of peasant life and nature during days spent hunting in the forests of his mother's estate in Spasskoye. When he was imprisoned for a month for writing an obituary for Nikolai Gogol, he wrote the famous short story ‘Mumu’ in 1854. This was a story about a deaf and mute peasant whose only source of happiness was his dog, Mumu, whom he was forced to drown under unfortunate circumstances.

Between 1853 and 1862, Ivan Turgenev wrote some of his best works, including ‘Rudin,’ which was published in 1856; ‘A Nest of the Gentry’ in 1859; ‘On the Eve’ in 1860; and ‘Fathers and Sons’ in 1862. Most of these books were based on his love for Pauline and also on his experiences with his mother, who was a strict authoritarian.

The story of ‘A Nest of the Gentry,’ which was published in 1858, was brimming with nostalgia and his love for the Russian countryside. The book also featured ‘Liza,’ which became one of One of the most memorable characters in Russian literature, along with Tolstoy's, is Natasha Rostova.

After Alexander II ascended the Russian throne, which led to a relaxation of the political climate, he wrote the novel On the Eve in 1860. The novel was about the Bulgarian revolutionary Insarov.

In 1862, Ivan Turgenev wrote the masterpiece Fathers and Sons, whose main character, Eugene Bazarov, is considered the "first Bolshevik" in Russian literature. The novel dealt with the constant conflicts between the older and younger generations, who had different perspectives on life.

His last book, entitled Virgin Soil, was published in 1877. The book attempted to do justice to the contemporary problems of Russian society.

Family and Personal Life

Ivan Turgenev never married. However, he did have some affairs with his family's servants. One of his affairs led to the birth of his illegitimate daughter, Paulinette.

He was also closely associated with the popular opera singer Pauline Garcia Viardot, with whom he had a platonic relationship. He also knew her husband and often traveled with the couple.

He did not have many friends. His closest literary friend was Gustave Flaubert, with whom he shared similar views. They both had an unprejudiced and pessimistic worldview.

Death and Legacy

During his later years, Ivan Turgenev's health began to deteriorate, and in January 1883, a malignant tumor was removed from his suprapubic region. However, the cancer had already reached his spinal cord, causing him intense pain during his final months.

He died on September 3, 1883, of a spinal abscess in Bougival, near Paris. His remains were brought to Russia, and he was buried in the Volkovo Cemetery in St. Petersburg. On his deathbed, he was visited by Tolstoy, to whom he said, “My friend, return to literature.” It was after this that Tolstoy wrote the popular works “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” and “The Kreutzer Sonata.”

Ivan Turgenev was a favorite of many writers of the next generation, including Henry James and Joseph Conrad, who held similar ideologies. He was also praised by Vladimir Nabokov, who was known for dismissing many authors as poor writers.

Other Facts about Ivan Turgenev

Ivan Turgenev had a passion for hunting and spent a significant amount of time in the countryside pursuing this hobby, which often inspired his writing.

Turgenev was known for his love of French culture and literature, and spent much of his life traveling between France and Russia, influencing his writing style and themes.

He had a close friendship with fellow writer Gustave Flaubert, with whom he exchanged ideas and critiques of each other's work.

Turgenev was an advocate for social reform and often used his writings to highlight the problems of serfdom and class inequality in Russia.

Despite his reputation as a serious writer, Turgenev had a lighthearted and humorous side, as evidenced by his witty letters and anecdotes shared among friends and colleagues.

Quotes by Ivan Turgenev

“Time flies sometimes like a bird, and sometimes it crawls like a snail. But a person's greatest happiness comes when he doesn't notice whether it's swift or slow.”

“Do you want to live in peace? Then befriend people, but live alone; don't undertake anything, don't grieve over anything. Do you want to live happily? Then begin by suffering.”

“Unfortunate children mature faster than happy children.”

“What I felt was so new and so sweet! I sat there, looking back a little, without moving, and only occasionally laughed quietly, remembering something, or shuddered at the thought that I was in love, that what I felt was love.”

“Death is an old story, and yet it's always new to someone.”

“Do you want to be fortunate? Learn to suffer, then.”

“Most people don't understand how the other party can blow their nose differently than they do.”

“It is sweet to be the sole source, the tyrannical and unappealable cause of another being's greatest joys and deepest despair.”

“Chess is as imperative a need as literature.”

“There are great mysteries in people's lives, and love is one of the most inaccessible.”

With affection,

Ruben

Story:The Rose

 

The Rose

Story

Ivan Turgenov

 

The last days of August.... Autumn was already at hand.

 

The sun was setting. A sudden downpour of rain, without thunder or lightning, had just passed rapidly over our wide plain.

 

The garden in front of the house glowed and steamed, all filled with the fire of the sunset and the deluge of rain.

 

She was sitting at a table in the drawing-room, and, with persistent dreaminess, gazing through the half-open door into the garden.

 

I knew what was passing at that moment in her soul; I knew that, after a brief but agonising struggle, she was at that instant giving herself up to a feeling she could no longer master.

 

All at once she got up, went quickly out into the garden, and disappeared.

 

An hour passed ... a second; she had not returned.

 

Then I got up, and, getting out of the house, I turned along the walk by which—of that I had no doubt—she had gone.

 

All was darkness about me; the night had already fallen. But on the damp sand of the path a roundish object could be discerned—bright red even through the mist.

 

I stooped down. It was a fresh, new-blown rose. Two hours before I had seen this very rose on her bosom.

 

I carefully picked up the flower that had fallen in the mud, and, going back to the drawing-room, laid it on the table before her chair.

 

And now at last she came back, and with light footsteps, crossing the whole room, sat down at the table.

 

Her face was both paler and more vivid; her downcast eyes, that looked somehow smaller, strayed rapidly in happy confusion from side to side.

 

She saw the rose, snatched it up, glanced at its crushed, muddy petals, glanced at me, and her eyes, brought suddenly to a standstill, were bright with tears.

 

‘What are you crying for?’ I asked.

 

‘Why, see this rose. Look what has happened to it.’

 

Then I thought fit to utter a profound remark.

 

‘Your tears will wash away the mud,’ I pronounced with a significant expression.

 

‘Tears do not wash, they burn,’ she answered. And turning to the hearth she flung the rose into the dying flame.

 

‘Fire burns even better than tears,’ she cried with spirit; and her lovely eyes, still bright with tears, laughed boldly and happily.

 

I saw that she too had been in the fire.

With

 

April 1878.

With affection,

Ruben

Arthur Rubinstein

 

Arthur Rubinstein

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Rubinstein as a young man, 1906

Arthur Rubinstein (January 28, 1887 – December 20, 1982) was a Polish-American pianist. He received praise from around the world for his playing of the music of a selection of composers (many call him the greatest Chopin player of the century).[1]

 

Rubinstein was born in Łódź, Poland to a family of Jews. He was the youngest child of the family.[2] His father was a rich owner of a factory.[3]

 

Although his given name is Artur Rubinstein, in English-speaking countries he wanted to be known as Arthur Rubinstein. However, his United States impresario Sol Hurok wanted him to still be billed as Artur, and his recordings were released in the West under both names.[4]

 

Rubinstein learned the piano at the age of two in Warsaw, before beginning study in Berlin at the age of eight. His debut in Berlin was made in 1898 followed by a debut at Carnegie Hall in the United States in 1906.[5]

 

Throughout his life, Rubinstein was famous as a solo pianist, a soloist in piano concertos, and even as a chamber musician. He retired from the stage at age eighty-nine, and died in Geneva, Switzerland, on 20 December 1982, at the age of ninety-five, and his body was cremated. On the first anniversary of his death, his ashes were buried in Jerusalem – as specified in his will – in a plot now nicknamed the "Rubinstein Forest" overlooking the Jerusalem Forest.[6]

With affection,

Ruben