Buzz
Relationships are not always centered around romantic or sexual connections (though Mytour has mostly focused on those kinds of lists up to this point). This list highlights ten relationships that are either quirky, fascinating, or just plain entertaining. It's just a small sample of what's out there, so don't hesitate to suggest other unique relationships for a potential follow-up list in the comments.
10. Bohr and Einstein
The two pioneers of Quantum Mechanics famously clashed over their interpretations of quantum theory. Bohr supported the uncertainty principle introduced by Werner Heisenberg, which posits that certain pairs of quantum properties, like position and momentum or time and energy, cannot both be precisely measured simultaneously. At the fifth Solvay conference, Einstein openly opposed Bohr, famously declaring, “God doesn’t play dice.” Over the years, Einstein produced numerous papers and thought experiments to challenge the Copenhagen Interpretation championed by Bohr. Despite intense collaboration with other leading scientists, Einstein's efforts failed to disprove Bohr’s view, and the debate between the two lasted until Einstein’s death in 1955.
9. The Five and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
In the 19th century, there were varied opinions on what classical Russian music should sound like. Tchaikovsky aspired to create compositions that would stand up to Western standards, transcending national borders, while still retaining a distinctly Russian character in melody, rhythm, and composition. The Five, a group of influential composers from St. Petersburg, sought to create a unique Russian style of art music, as opposed to imitating European traditions or adhering to European conservatory training. They advocated for incorporating the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic aspects of Russian folk songs, as well as elements from music originating in the eastern parts of the Russian Empire. While Tchaikovsky did use folk songs in some of his works, he mostly adhered to Western compositional practices, particularly in terms of tonality and tonal progression. Despite these differences, Tchaikovsky maintained a friendly relationship with The Five. In 1869, Tchaikovsky began a collaboration with Mily Balakirev, one of the Five, resulting in his first widely recognized masterpiece, the fantasy-overture 'Romeo and Juliet,' which was embraced by the group. Additionally, when Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, another member of The Five, was offered a professorship at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, he turned to Tchaikovsky for advice. In the 1880s, after The Five members had gone their separate ways, Tchaikovsky developed a close personal and professional relationship with Rimsky-Korsakov.
8. Chesterton and Shaw
Chesterton's most prominent philosophical rival was the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. Shaw represented the emerging modernist movement, while Chesterton's views increasingly aligned with the church. Despite their ideological differences, they shared mutual respect and goodwill towards each other. In fact, Shaw had encouraged Chesterton to write a play and believed the world had not given Chesterton enough recognition.
Their debates, both in print and in public, became a source of great amusement and were filled with one witty exchange after another:
Shaw: If I were as fat as you, I would hang myself. Chesterton: If I were to hang myself, I would use you for the rope.
Chesterton: I see there has been a famine in the land. Shaw: And I see the cause of it.
7. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
For many, King and Malcolm X were giants of the Civil Rights Movement, two monumental figures in modern African-American culture. Their speeches shared visions of a better America, with both men asserting that to achieve freedom, African Americans first needed to gain self-respect. However, their methods and goals differed greatly. King advocated for peaceful protests, non-violent resistance, and the principles of Gandhi, while Malcolm X championed nationalist and separatist ideologies, believing that revolution and force were the only paths to equality. Consequently, King and Malcolm X came to symbolize two opposing factions of the equality movement that was sweeping both Black America and the nation at large, and their fierce struggle resonated across the globe. In the final years of their lives, however, their viewpoints began to align. After breaking from the black Muslim movement, Malcolm X began emphasizing unity, self-pride, and change through respect rather than through hatred and vengeance. Their relationship grew more cordial, with Malcolm X expressing interest in joining forces with King and the broader Civil Rights Movement.
6. Gilbert Lewis and Irving Langmuir
The two greatest American chemists of the early twentieth century, Gilbert Lewis and Irving Langmuir, were also renowned rivals. Lewis had played a pivotal role in establishing the College of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, transforming it into one of the world’s leading centers for chemistry research. His work on chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and acid-base theory made him a household name. Langmuir, in turn, built upon Lewis' theories of chemical bonding and brought them to a wider audience, often to Lewis' displeasure. Langmuir was awarded the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking work on surface chemistry, while Lewis was passed over despite being nominated 15 times. In 1946, Lewis was found dead under a workbench at Berkeley, with official reports attributing his death to hydrogen cyanide poisoning. Many believe, however, that it was a suicide, fueled by the tension in his relationship with Langmuir and the subsequent depression. It is notable that the two had met for lunch earlier that day, when Langmuir mentioned he had been on campus to receive an honorary degree.
5. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
With Benjamin Franklin ill, the responsibility of drafting the Declaration of Independence fell to John Adams. However, Adams believed that Jefferson should take on the task, and Jefferson’s draft was eloquently defended by Adams. Despite this, their relationship soured from that point onward. During Adams’ vice-presidency, the two clashed fiercely over political philosophies and the future direction of the nation. A fiercely contested presidential election between the two came down to a mere three electoral votes, with Adams ultimately becoming the second president of the United States. Yet, in 1800, the rivalry flared up again when Jefferson defeated Adams to claim the presidency. The two exchanged numerous hostile letters, with Adams famously stating, “I will outlive Jefferson.” But on his deathbed, on July 4, 1826, Adams uttered the words, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” Tragically, he was unaware that Jefferson had passed away just hours earlier.
4. Freud and Jung
Freud met Jung in February of 1907, and they quickly became close friends, engaging in extensive correspondence for six years. Freud even considered the young Carl Gustav Jung to be his successor in the field of psychoanalysis. However, as Jung began to develop his own theories and started to disagree with the fundamental principles of Freudian theory, their relationship began to deteriorate. This tension culminated in a bitter exchange of letters, followed by Jung’s resignation as chairman of the International Psychoanalytic Congress, an organization he had been elected to with Freud’s support. Jung went on to establish his own school of thought, known as analytical psychology, while Freud continued to expand upon his own psychological theories. The two met one last time in September 1913 in Munich, where Jung began to develop key concepts on psychological types that would later become the foundation of Jungian psychology, differentiating it from Freudian theory for the next half-century.
3. Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr
In the early days of quantum physics, Niels Bohr, a Danish scientist, played a defining role. His groundbreaking work on atomic structure and quantum mechanics earned him the Nobel Prize in 1922. During one of Bohr’s pivotal lectures, a young German student raised his hand to point out a flaw in Bohr’s argument, leaving the professor momentarily stunned. This student, a mere 20 years old, was Werner Heisenberg. The two struck up a strong friendship that would span many years and several collaborations. Bohr was immensely proud when Heisenberg was later awarded the Nobel Prize as well.
However, what had united them in science would soon be torn apart by politics. As the popularity of Albert Einstein’s theories led to theoretical physics being labeled as ‘Jewish science’, Bohr’s own Jewish connections became a point of contention. With the outbreak of the Second World War, Heisenberg was viewed with suspicion by the Gestapo and eventually recruited by the Nazis to work on a project aimed at developing an atomic bomb. In their final meeting, Bohr believed that Heisenberg supported the Nazi atomic bomb project, and was horrified by what he perceived as Heisenberg’s lack of moral objections to such a weapon. This marked a turning point, and their friendship was severely strained. After the war, Heisenberg faced widespread condemnation from the scientific community, and it took years before he regained any semblance of acceptance. However, the relationship with Bohr was never fully restored. A compelling documentary on their relationship and the political factors involved can be found here.
2. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien
The Inklings, a literary group that brought together several influential intellectuals of the 20th century, had C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as two of its most notable members. Tolkien and Lewis shared a strong friendship, with Tolkien playing a key role in Lewis’ conversion to Christianity. Conversely, Lewis encouraged Tolkien to delve into fiction writing. Both men taught at Oxford, shared a deep interest in literature, and produced fictional works that conveyed fundamental Christian themes and values. They frequently read and critiqued each other’s manuscripts long before they were published. Despite their close relationship, Tolkien expressed strong reservations about Lewis’ Narnia series, believing that the Christian themes were too overtly emphasized. Additionally, Tolkien was critical of Lewis’ popular approach to theology, feeling that theology should remain the domain of professionals to avoid misinterpretation. Nevertheless, Lewis dedicated his widely influential book, *The Screwtape Letters*, which earned him the cover of *Time* magazine, to Tolkien. As time passed, however, a rift began to form between the two, particularly after Lewis grew closer to the Anglican Church and began a romantic relationship with American widow Joy Gresham. After marrying Gresham, Lewis began to distance himself from his old friends, a move believed to have deeply affected Tolkien.
1. Schopenhauer and Hegel
Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher, is celebrated for his profound metaphysical analysis of the will, his insights into human motivation and desire, and his unique aphoristic style of writing. His ideas significantly influenced renowned thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, and Leo Tolstoy. On the other hand, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, one of the primary figures behind German Idealism, revolutionized European philosophy with his historicist and idealist approach to understanding reality. His work laid the groundwork for Continental philosophy and Marxism. Despite these monumental contributions, Schopenhauer was a staunch critic of Hegel. He frequently accused Hegel of employing empty, convoluted language that gave an illusion of depth but lacked real substance. The rivalry between the two grew so intense that, in 1820, Schopenhauer, upon becoming a lecturer at the University of Berlin, intentionally scheduled his lectures to clash with those of Hegel. However, while Hegel’s lectures attracted a full audience, only five students attended Schopenhauer’s, which led him to abandon his academic career.
