How Albert Einstein was just one of many famous figures who married their first cousins
What do Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin and HG Wells have in common?
Yes, they were all greats who changed the world in their respective fields of physics, biology, and writing some of the greatest novels of the 20th century.
But the trio also all married their cousins - as did many other famous figures, including Iraqi dictator Sadam Hussein, poet Edgar Allan Poe and American outlaw Jesse James.
The cousin marriage controversy was recently reignited when MP Iqbal Mohamed spoke out in his defense in the House of Commons.
He claimed that many people view mixed family marriages as ‘very positive’ and said it was seen as something that could help ‘build family ties’ and put families in a more secure financial position.
Mohamed spoke out against Tory MP Richard Holden’s attempts to introduce new legislation to ban the marriage of cousins.
King Henry VIII legalized cousin marriage in 1540 so he could tie the knot with his fifth wife Catherine Howard.
And as we’ll reveal below, some household names have abused the legal position, both at home and abroad.
Albert Einstein
Einstein’s second wife, Elsa Lowenthal, was his cousin. She was not only his mother’s niece, but also Einstein’s second cousin on his father’s side
The theoretical physicist was married twice. He had four children with his first wife, fellow physicist Mileva Maric.
After the couple divorced in 1919 after sixteen years together, Einstein married his cousin Elsa Lowenthal.
She was not only his mother’s niece, but also Einstein’s second cousin on his father’s side.
Elsa died without children in 1936, and Albert – known for developing the theory of relativity – survived her by 19 years.
Charles Darwin
Scientist Charles Darwin, whose book On The Origin of Species popularized the theory of evolution, had ten children with his wife Emma Wedgwood.
Emma was the daughter of Darwin’s uncle, making her his cousin.
Darwin’s studies had made him concerned about marrying into his family.
Scientist Charles Darwin, whose book On The Origin of Species popularized the theory of evolution, had ten children with his wife Emma Wedgwood. Emma was the daughter of Darwin’s uncle, making her his cousin
Although seven of the couple’s children lived to adulthood, their tenth and last, Charles the younger, died when they were still an infant.
Darwin described him as ‘retarded in walking and talking, but intelligent and observant.’
He also feared that his son Leonard was ‘rather slow and retarded’, while his daughter Henrietta had a digestive disease similar to his.
Darwin even said to a friend, “We are a wretched family and must be exterminated.”
But by marrying his cousin, Darwin followed a family tradition. His grandfather, Josiah Wedgwood, had married his third cousin, while their daughter married Darwin’s father.
Emma’s father had a total of nine children, four of whom married cousins.
H. G. Wells
HG Wells’ first wife Isabel, whom he dated for only three years before they divorced, was his cousin.
The author of War of the Worlds courted Isabel while staying at the home of his aunt, her mother.
Wells caused their rift after he fell in love with his student Amy Catherine Robbins, who later became known as Jane.
The couple had two sons with her and another child, the novelist Anthony West, with mistress Rebecca West.
HG Wells’ first wife Isabel, whom he dated for only three years before they divorced, was his cousin
Saddam Hussein
Iraq’s late dictator was executed in 2006 after fleeing the collapse of his regime.
Hussein’s first wife, Sajidah Talfah, was also his cousin. The couple grew up as brother and sister and their marriage was arranged when both were small children.
The couple married in 1963 and had five children together. The eldest, Uday, followed his father’s love of cruelty and was obsessed with torture.
Hussein subsequently took a second wife, Samira Shahbandar. Both of the dictator’s wives are still alive.
Iraq’s late dictator was executed in 2006 after fleeing the collapse of his regime. Hussein’s first wife, Sajidah Talfah, was also his cousin. The couple grew up as brother and sister
Jesse James
American outlaw Jesse James married his cousin Zerelda, who was named after his mother, in 1874.
In between robbing banks, stagecoaches and trains, James found the time to father four children with his other half.
The law finally caught up with him in 1882, after a disastrous bank robbery attempt that left much of his gang dead.
While fleeing, James was shot in the back of the head by his comrade Robert Ford.
Zerelda lived until 1900, but died penniless and alone.
American outlaw Jesse James married his cousin Zerelda – who was named after his mother – in 1874. In between robbing banks, stagecoaches and trains, James found the time to father four children with his other half.
Edgar Allan Poe
American poet Edgar Allan Poe married his cousin Virginia when she was only 13.
However, the couple’s union was ended by tragedy just over a decade after they tied the knot, when Virginia died of tuberculosis in 1847.
Poe had now become a household name with his poem The Raven, which is about a desperate lover who is repeatedly visited by a raven.
Poe died in October 1849, leaving no children.
American poet Edgar Allan Poe married his cousin Virginia when she was only 13. However, the couple’s union was ended by tragedy just over a decade after they tied the knot, when Virginia died of tuberculosis in 1847.