NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

July 6, 1955

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Devartment of Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Josh:

The dictionary sounds like a good idea. I am sure it
would be at least as useful as the Handbook of Biological Data
and probably more so. The difficulty with an idea such as this
is that if it is to be done well, a perfectionist has to dedicate
himself to the job. This is probably the trouble with the
existing dictionaries. I do not know whether A.I.B.S. has such
@ person or can find one but I think this should be an important
consideration in deciding whether to undertake such a venture.

The problem of financing may turn out to be difficult. I would
think all possible commercial sources ought to be explored thoroughly.
The Foundations sometimes makes grants for the support of such
enterprises, which are more or less to be considered as loans to be
repaid from whatever profits the publication earns.

I hope to see you in East Lansing. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,

mM

Margaret C. Green
Program Director for Genetic and
Develormental Biology (Acting)