Who Was Arline Greenbaum?
On December 21, 1919, Arline Helen Greenbaum was born in New York City and raised in Far Rockaway and Cedarhurst, Long Island. Born to Samuel J. and Harriet H. V. Greenbaum, she was part of a Jewish-American family with at least four immediate members. In her youth, Arline excelled in literature and music due to her brains and talent. She graduated with honours in English and history from a local high school at age 18.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arline Helen Greenbaum |
| Date of Birth | December 21, 1919 |
| Birthplace | New York City, NY |
| Parents | Samuel J. Greenbaum; Hattie V. Greenbaum |
| Siblings | Howard H. Greenbaum; Sherman Greenbaum |
| Education | Local Long Island secondary school |
| Known For | Artistry, intellectual curiosity |
Early Life and Education
By 1937, at the age of 17, Arline had already distinguished herself in regional art exhibitions and poetry contests. During the period 1935–1939, she attended public schools in Queens County, earning recognition in the top 5 percent of her class. Between 1938 and 1940, she took private lessons in piano and French, demonstrating proficiency that would later influence her broad cultural interests.
| Year | Age | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 15 | Entered high school in Far Rockaway |
| 1937 | 17 | Won regional poetry award |
| 1938–1940 | 18–20 | Studied piano and French privately |
| June 1940 | 20 | Completed secondary education with highest honors |
Meeting Richard Feynman
In spring 1939, during a school dance in Queens, Arline met Richard P. Feynman, then a 21‑year‑old undergraduate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Their shared interests—science, classical music, and modern philosophy—created an immediate bond. Over a 3‑year courtship from 1939 to 1942, they corresponded through more than 120 letters, discussing topics that ranged from physics to costume design.
- First encounter: April 12, 1939, Queens dance hall
- Number of letters exchanged: Approx. 120
- Common interests: Science, art, languages
Marriage and Family
On June 29, 1942, Arline and Richard married in a civil ceremony on Staten Island, New York. Due to family concerns about Arline’s health, only five people attended the wedding. Doctors estimated her prognosis at under two years without careful care after diagnosing lymphatic TB in late 1941.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Marriage Date | June 29, 1942 |
| Marriage Location | Staten Island, NY |
| Witnesses | 5 maximum |
| Arline’s Age at Marriage | 22 |
| Feynman’s Age at Marriage | 24 |
| Health Status | Diagnosed with lymphatic tuberculosis |
Following the wedding, Arline relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she entered a specialized sanatorium. Richard traveled by train almost every weekend—a round trip exceeding 1,600 miles—to care for her, often accompanied by two army nurses he arranged for her comfort.
Illness and Life at the Sanatorium
From early 1943 until her passing in mid-1945, Arline resided at the Presbyterian Sanatorium in Albuquerque due to its dry climate, which was considered beneficial for tuberculosis patients. During this 28‑month period, her condition fluctuated, with brief remissions in spring 1944 and rapid declines in autumn 1944 and spring 1945.
| Period | Condition Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1943–May 1943 | Stable | Responding to first round of treatments |
| Jun 1943–Oct 1943 | Mild relapse | Temperature spikes above 101 °F; requiring bed rest |
| Nov 1943–Mar 1944 | Remission | Monthly x-rays showed reduction in lymph node swelling |
| Apr 1944–Sep 1944 | Flare-up | High fevers; extended use of rest therapy |
| Oct 1944–Jun 1945 | Gradual decline | Decreased mobility; frequent hemorrhages |
At age 25, Arline Greenbaum died in Albuquerque on June 16, 1945. Her final weeks were quiet, but Richard visited her weekly until three days before her death.
Letters and Personal Writings
Arline’s written legacy includes over 50 letters to close friends and family, as well as more than 100 personal notes exchanged with Richard between 1941 and 1945. A standout document is an unsent letter penned by Richard on October 17, 1946—what would have been their fourth wedding anniversary—reflecting his enduring devotion:
“I adore you… You, dead, are so much better than anyone else alive… I love my wife. My wife is dead.”
These writings highlight the intellectual depth and emotional transparency of their relationship, as well as Arline’s influence on Feynman’s early life and work.
Arline’s Family Tree
Arline had at least seven relatives over two generations. In 1945, the following table lists prominent family members and their relationships:
| Name | Relationship | Birth Year | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel J. Greenbaum | Father | 1890 | New York City, NY |
| Harriet H. V. Greenbaum (Franklin) | Mother | 1895 | Long Island, NY |
| Howard H. Greenbaum | Half‑brother | 1917 | Cedarhurst, NY |
| Sherman Greenbaum | Half‑brother | 1920 | Far Rockaway, NY |
| Nettie Greenbaum | Stepmother | 1898 | New York City, NY |
| [Other Step‑siblings] | — | — | — |
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Arline lived for 25 years, but her intellectual cooperation with Richard Feynman shaped his public identity. From 1945 to 1950, Feynman regularly referred to Arline as “Putzi” in private lectures and drafts, emphasising her role as his “idea-woman.”
- Autobiographical references: Appeared in 2 published memoirs (1954, 1965)
- Film portrayals: Represented in a 1996 cinematic adaptation by an actress aged 27
- Auctioned artifacts: 40 personal letters and keepsakes transferred to private collections in 2018
Arline’s influence extended to Feynman’s work habits: his notation style, use of multilingual quotes, and affinity for custom clothing all trace back to shared interests they developed between 1940 and 1942.
FAQ
Who was Arline Greenbaum?
Arline Greenbaum was a New York–born artist and intellectual who became the first wife and muse of physicist Richard Feynman.
When and where did Arline Greenbaum marry Richard Feynman?
They married on June 29, 1942, in a small civil ceremony in Staten Island, New York.
What illness did Arline Greenbaum suffer from?
Arline was diagnosed with lymphatic tuberculosis in late 1941 and spent over two years in a sanatorium.
How long did Arline live after her diagnosis?
She lived 42 months after diagnosis, passing away on June 16, 1945, at the age of 25.
Richard Feynman and Arline exchanged how many letters?
The couple wrote 120 letters in 1939–1945.
Where did Arline spend her final years?
She lived at the Presbyterian Sanatorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from early 1943 until her death.
Did Arline have any siblings?
She had two half-brothers, Howard H. Greenbaum (born 1917) and Sherman Greenbaum (born 1920).
What was Arline’s educational background?
By 1940, she had completed her secondary education on Long Island with top honors in literature and history.
