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April 14, 1982

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
President

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021

Dear Josh:

Your letter of April 9th caused me considerable
personal anguish.

As you know, I feel (and have felt) a considerable
debt to you for all the help you have been in establishing
the Whitehead Institute. At the same time, I am sure you
appreciate the fact that I have committed myself very, very
heavily to establish the Institute. These commitments are
such that I am really approaching over extension. The truth
of the matter is that I just do not have any money left for
philanthropic causes. If I did, I am sure you appreciate
that The Rockefeller University would be high on my priority
list. Perhaps in five years or so, when I come out from
under all my present commitments, we could reconsider this;
however, Josh, I am afraid I have to tell you that at present
I really cannot help out. ‘

As far as The Rockefeller University Council is
concerned, I would be pleased to continue my membership if
you think it is of value to you.

I also suggested some time ago that Henry Simon, who
is currently the president of Technicon, is vitally interested
in joining the Council. As I mentioned, I suggested this
some time ago, but we did not hear back.

By way of background, Henry is a Ph.D. physicist who
started his career as a researcher at Bell Labs. He ran the
ITT telephone business in Europe for a number of years, and
he has just moved into the presidency of Technicon (almost
two years ago). He is a very personable fellow, extremely
able, and very interested in problems of biology. I think
he would be a supurb addition to the Council.
Dr. Joshua Lederberg
April 14, 1982
Page 2

I am sure you appreciate the embarassment I feel
in responding to your letter, which probably matches your
embarassment in writing.

With kind regards,

Sincerely,

pak
Edwin C. Whitehead

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