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Whi DLlary ‘ Me
LO Janey cou

University of Wiseonsta bederburye

1G Jenuery 1950

University of ‘‘igconsin
Madigeon, Wiscoaghi
J. Lederber,,

On Mondsy morning WW Lotroduced WFL to Professor Kobert Irwin
in Genetics and thea to Joshua Lederbcrg. The latter went to P & S Medical
School fcr two years where he beeane interested in bacterial genetics
under Francis J. iysa; lesviag medicul school he taea went to study under
Dr. Datum at Yale, where he took his Ph.D., since which he hus become
sesistant Frofesscr of GUsnetics at Wisconstu. Lederberg was originally
an exceedingly brash, uggressive young wan, muking "quite a fool cf himsalf"
(Elvenjem) at Cold Spring arbor, but who has steadily matured and sobered
down since that timc. kis sin vore of course Is concsrned with the
gueetion of "sex" in bacteria, or more properly speaking, with the problem
of geue recembination.He finds that «hea tvo strains of bacterial mutants,
each deficient ia treo respects, are grown on the same medium, that tney
Opparently interechcage genetic meterlul, tous yielding offs :ring that are
complate fer the Pour items concerned. There Le little deubt concerning
Lederberz's intelLligeace una originutity, cut in. VFL's epinion he sould
be da an eavircenment where te is surrourded by nis Lnterlectual suvertors,
as otherwise tnere is danger that he might foil to develop bo his full.
Perhess Visconsin provides just sueh en aivironmeat. Lederberg should be
most interesting to fallow over the coming yeers, as with luck he may
become a truly signiflennt worker. EB

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