Bill McElroy
[stamped, AUG 1 1977]
-- some history --
I've just enjoyed reading your piece in Ann. Rev. Microbiol.
I was particularly interested in your remarks about Beadle and Tatum. Are you sure about hearing about microorganisms for biochemical mutants while you were an undergraduate ([less than or equal to symbol] 1939?) That jars a bit with the account that this happened after they were scooped by Butenandt; and that using nutritional mutants was an illumination from Ed's course in Jan/Feb 1941.
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Anything you can send me that could sharpen the history of the quest for a better organism would be much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Josh.