THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

Madison 6

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BACTERIOLOGY July 10, 1947

a) IF [4-1

Professor R. A. Brink ; om 4

Department of Genetics
College of Agriculture
University of Wisconsin

Dear Professor Brink:

Relative to our conversation regarding Dr. Lederberg, the quotation
I received from Dr. Bloom, of the Department of Internal Medicine, Yale
University, is as follows:

"I can fully appreciate the problem with Lederberg. It

is my candid impression that he is a pretty smart chap, but not
the kind to impress people favorably as far as his religion is
concerned. He has an overbearing air of certainty which makes
him many antagonists. I have spent a lot of time trying to
acquire more information on the subject for you and I have found
that many folks think he has a good head but needs a few spank=
ings. Dr. Long agrees with this opinion and says that he is
clumsy in the laboratory. Personally, I don't like to be in
the position of running down my fellow man and what I have said
was gathered in the breezeway. The few times I have seen hin,
he has shown a peculiarly keen intellect and is apt to ask
embarrassing questions. The other evaluation is hearsay."

Perhaps the above opinion will be of some value to you along with
the other information you have compiled.

Sincerely,

ean!
Dennis W. Watson

DWWth

CN

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