AMHERST COLLEGE
Amberst, Massachusetts

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

May 5, 1952

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Josh:

It has been a year since my pleasent visit with you and Esther took
place in Madison, Dinner by the lake was most enjoyable, Many
things have happened since that meeting, but most important to me

has been the realization that I would prefer to do research rather
than to teach, It is not that I dislike teaching, but I find

that my desire to do research prevents me from doing justice to my
teaching. Since teaching is perhaps one of the most important
contributions that one can make to society my conscience begins

to bother me when I feel that I might not be doing a proper job,
Because of this I have cut dwn on my research, but as a consequence

I have become unhappy. I am afraid Bhat I can only be satisfied when
I can work in the laboratory or the field for long, uninterupted
periods until I am exhausted. It is difficult:for me to see any
solution to this problem. My desires are not motivated by any dis-
like for Amherst, for I find the college plesant, the facilities
good, and the salary satisfactory. Perhaps the most intelligent
thing to do would be to hold on here, but I just do not know,

I am aware that there are few places where one can work in the manner.
which I have indicated; maybe some sort of research associateship

or assistantship would solve the problem,

As you can see I am in sort of a muddle, and I would greatly appreciate
hearing your thoughts on the matter,

Regards to Esther.

al ’
“

R, P, Levine