Special Relatives

Book Coming in 2026: The Unique Ties Between the Wintelers and Albert Einstein

While it is known that Albert Einstein lived with the openhearted Winteler family in Switzerland for one year to finish high school, why do we know so little about their lifelong, close family bond? Their unique connection nurtured a complex web of love, romance, marriage, friendships and even controversy. The deep bond faced the test of strength during tragedy and heartbreak. While they significantly influenced each other, one crucial impact has been hidden until now. Scholarly support and evidence demonstrates that ‘Papa’ Jost Winteler’s unique scientific work and philosophical mentorship was a crucial foundation for Einstein’s discovery of relativity.

Einstein? We’re Actually Related?

I was telling my maternal grandmother about my university courses, which were all math and science. I picked up one of my textbooks and showed her. It was called Special Relativity – Albert Einstein’s infamous scientific theory on space and time. She casually commented “you know, there is a family connection to Albert Einstein.” I then waited for her to laugh, but it didn’t come.

How We Got Here

My Journey to Write

Written by David Tonner, the great-great grandson of Professor Dr. Jost Winteler, ’Special Relatives’ is a historically important and emotionally powerful book that presents previously unpublished insights into Albert Einsteein’s life and his lifelong personal relationship with individual Wintelers. This family history draws upon multiple sources that assert the influence of young Einstein’s mentor and housefather—the brilliant Professor Dr. Jost Winteler— and his dynamic family as an under-rated important influence on Einstein’s personal, spiritual, scientific, and philosophical development. This book provides a compelling blend of romance, intellectual camaraderie, tragedy, and legacy around the family tie through marriage and the impact the Wintelers’ nurturing had on him, and his life on them. The rigorous research in the various archives for letters reveal previously unpublished stories of their intertwined lives. And yes, Albert’s intense romance with Marie Winteler is mentioned briefly in some biographies, but it is shallow and far from complete. Special Relatives exposes formerly buried information, which will be surprising to Einstein history enthusiasts.

Formative Years

Was It a Coincidence That Albert Imagined Riding a Light Beam While Living With the Wintelers?

“It was from my father that I first heard discussions on relativity, which Einstein later developed mathematically.” Dr. Fritz Winteler to the Directorate of the Swiss National Library, Bern April 10, 1942.

When Albert Einstein arrived in Aarau from his oppressive school system in Germany, it would be a crucial turning point for the world of science. His environment completely changed during those 12 months with the Wintelers and to-date the extent and the impact has not been fully explored. It is probably not a coincidence that Einstein had his first thought experiment about riding on a beam of light while living in Aarau. He was highly influenced while under the mentorship of a man whose strong imagination had already developed a new scientific approach of ‘invariance’ – Einstein’s initial preferential term for Relativity – in linguistics. This was the same genius-like work that Dr. Fritz Winteler referred to regarding his father, in April 1942. Is it safe to assume that, during their countless hours of discourse even beyond his year in Aarau, that Jost and Albert talked about this method of ‘invariance’ in his doctoral work? It is likely safe to yes.

The Untold Family Bond

Albert Einstein didn’t just live with the Wintelers—he became one of them. Within their home, he found love, mentorship, and a second family that shaped his mind and heart. Their influence remained with him long after he left. What truths lie hidden in their thousands of letters?

Letters That Change Everything

For over a century, the intimate connections between Albert Einstein and the Winteler family remained buried in personal letters. Now, their story is revealed—one of deep love, struggle, and the unseen forces that shaped a legend. What secrets do these pages hold?

A Forgotten Connection

What if Einstein’s greatest ideas were sparked by more than just physics? The Wintelers’ world of intellectual discourse, romance, and rebellion intertwined with his, shaping the man behind the genius. Discover the missing piece of Einstein’s story.

About David Tonner

David Tonner obtained degrees in physics and engineering from the University of Toronto and also obtained an Air Transport Pilot Licence. He held careers as a Petroleum Engineer and Commercial Pilot. After years of researching his family history, he finally decided to write a book on his Winteler family relationship to Albert Einstein and the impact they had on each other’s lives. He still finds time to fly, play guitar, perform in live theatre, paint, learn karate and learn Italian in Italy. In recent years, while choosing to camp in the open wild of Tanzania and Namibia, he met two families whom he helps personally to improve their quality of life. The Special Relatives story is his first book. He’s thinking that his Africa experiences might be next!

Exclusive Preview

Get a Sneak Peek Inside the Book

Curious about the untold connection between Albert Einstein and the Winteler family? Dive into the opening chapter of this soon-to-be-released book and uncover the early bonds, influences, and pivotal relationships that helped shape a genius.

P.S. If you made it all the way down here—hi, fellow curious mind 👋. Yes, I’m writing a book. It’s about the incredible, mostly untold family ties between Albert Einstein and the Wintelers. If that piqued your interest, scroll back up and drop your email. You’ll be the first to know when I make the big announcement (and maybe get a few behind-the-scenes surprises too).