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UNIVERSITS OF WISCONSIN
LABORATORY OF GENETICS JAMES F. CROW
MADISON, WI 53706 PHONE: 608-263-4438
FAX: 608-262-2976 BITNET: WREngels@ WiscMACC
August 9, 1989
Dr. Joshua Lederberg 59x LL
The Rockefeller Institute Pp —

1230 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021

Dear Josh:

| just finished reading your article on the ontogeny of the clonal selection
theory, and of course with much nostalgia. 1 vividly remember the 1959 Science
article. More accurately ! remember it vaguely, but remember the impression
vividly; in particular the nine propositions to be nailed to the wall, a la Martin
Luther. Although the theory was greeted skeptically, when the tide turned it
changed remarkably rapidly (or so it appeared to me).

| recall your saying once that what a biologist has to offer the chemical
community is the idea of natural selection. ‘You said this in connection with the
origins of life, but is equally applicable to the antibody question.

This is, of course, a thank you note. Your article was a great excuse to shirk
some obligations, but I'll now get back to them.

A quick subtraction from my own age makes it no surprise that you are
approaching 65. Welcome to senior citizenship.

Sincerely,