THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

  

HARRY WOOLF
Director January 30, 1981

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
President

Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021

Dear Josh:

You sent me a sample of your chicken scratchings made at the
Bardins' party and identified, in some compound of words wintel-
ligible to me, a colloquium on theory in biology with Mumford and others.
In turn, you have asked me to decipher what you thought you had put down.

We did talk about theory in the life sciences and the possibility
of our developing a kind of intellectual probe in that direction at the
Institute, and that I wanted to talk to you about the idea at greater
length in the future. Can we bring two or three people annually or
semi~annually with an interest in this area and perhaps for a three-year
experimental program in all to see what is or is not legitimate in that
historically hollow field (at least in the past), and determine whether
or not there is an unfolding, serious subject area in which theory in
the life sciences is legitimate and interesting?

Secondly, I think you did raise some question about where to go in
mathematics on Mark Kac's retirement. I thought with regard to that
subject that you wanted to talk to me about it at greater length, but
at your discretion. In any case, that is what I can remember of our
time together beyond the pleasure of your company.

Do let me know where we go from here.

Cordially yours,

LAW

Harry Woolf

Princeton, New Jersey 08540 Telephone 609-734-8200