THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
MADISON 6

THE MEDICAL SCHOOL
EDEN
SXKKOECER KAD

Department of Medical Genetics

April 29, 1957

Dr. James D. Watson
Biological Laboratories
Harvard University
Cambridge 38, Maas.

Dear Jims

I wish I had time to write each one of my friends at Harvard, who wisjed
me so well during the past few months. In place of that, I'd like to rely on
you to pass the word, especially as I have been getting back inaccurate ru-

mors as to my reasons for withdrawing from availability for the Harvard Biology
professorship.

We both know that there were some feelers several years ago, and I think
I could have been forgiven for same impatience that they dragged out without
materializing. However, it is quite true that my indicated requirements were
on the exorbitant side, and I have been learning a great deal lately in con-
nection with the organization of the new Medical Genetics department on how
long it does take to process appointments, even when all the winds are favorable,
I did tell Paul Doty in connection with Paul Levine that I thought Harvard
might be the better fpr sane more resoluteness; that was sane time ago. That
was behind some of my feeling that I wanted to have a green light from the
Harvard administration before there was much point in further discussion.
But what I heard from Dean Bundy and George Wald and others was more than
satisfactory in this respect. What I hope no one misunderstands is that my
own thinking about Harvard has been from a completely fresh approach, and I

had only to look at the people I like and admire there to have cause to regret
that other factors predominated.

Right now, I am too tied up with the developments in the medical school
here to want to be involved in any more negotiations elsewhere than I am al-
ready. In any event, for reasons which are no discredit to either of two
great institutions, we have decided that on balance we would prefer to remain
at Madison for the present rather than move to Cambridge. I would rather not
be pressed into going into mofe detail, if only because some of the ultimate
considerations (if we knew what they were) might seem rather trivial. In the
end, Harvard and Wisconsin are probably both grand places to be and &o work;
here is where we happen to be now. But it would make us very unhappy if the
false impression were broadcast that this decision were based on any reflection
of past histpry. Your own presence, and fron what I hear, thriving success
would be enough sign of a new mmr era at Harvard, if any were needed,

My only cause for concern now that that I may beem to be protesting too
muchs SO I will end right here,