WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

 

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
BARNES AND WOHL HOSPITALS

Gs WAY
600 SOUTH KINGSHIGH 29 November 1960
ST. LOUIS 10, MISSOURI

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

Dear Josh:

As you may have learned from Arthur, I have been offered, and have
accepted, the chair in microbiology at this school. The department has been
vacant for so long that its rehabilitation poses an awesome challenge, and
even though I have deep misgivings as to the committee's wisdom, and my own,
in arriving at this decision I am now committed to establishing a new depart-
ment ~ one which hopefully will be scientifically vigorous.

The first and most obvious goal is the accumulation of people. I begin
this crucial first step by writing to you and to Arthur for help and suggestions.
You doubtless realize that I would deeply appreciate any suggestions you might
make regarding candidates for any of the 4 or 5 positions that will be available.
Positions are available at all academic levels as the department is now entirely
untenanted. I wonder in particular if you would care to make any comments re-
garding the suitability of Morton Zinder? I do not know him personally and know
only in a general way of the work he did with you when he was your graduate
student (I think).

I expect to attend the La Jolla meeting in January and hope you will find
it possible to be there as I should welcome the chance to chat with you about the
above and other problems.
With very best regards,
Sincerely,

(List

Herman N.Eisen
HNE : vb