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April 16, 1973

Dr. Neal Groman

Department of Bacteriology
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98105

Dear Dr. Groman,

I am sorry our paths did not get to cross during my brief visit
last week to the Seattle campus. I had particularly wanted to ask you

a historical question which perhaps you might be able to favor me with
by mail.

Simply, I would just be interested to know more of the
“intellectual history" of Freeman's discovery of the role of bacteria
phage in diphtheria toxicity. Bo you have any idea what was in his mind
that led him to this innovative pursuit? I had never met him nor have
I seen any of his earlier publications, so I have no idea of the
intellectual framework with which he approached these particular findings.
During my lectures I was able to discuss a number of possible anticipations
of lysogenic conversion, experiments that had been done many years before
but had not been properly followed up, and I would be rather curious to
know whether Freeman had had any observations of these kinds in mind
when he did his reported experiments.

Sincerely yours,

a

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JL/rr
Enclosures

-N ‘ny yaad