May 25, 1964

Dr. Alvin M. Weinberg

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Post Office Box X

Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37531

Dear Alvin:

You would be lucky indeed to get Henry Kaplan, but I don't think you will
unless it is in reaction to some frustration about town-and-gown or similar
nonsense here. And I wouldu't even encourage you to make a meaningless
effort, since hs is already valued at the utmost, and his luster and leverage
here could not be augmented.

In many ways, though, he would be just the person you ara looking for. He
has a flerce dedication both to science and medicine of radiology, a good
sense of quality in choosing people, and in inspiring them, and of gourse

a unique record of research performance both in basic seience and in radio-
therapy. The only thing that might be held against him is his intelligence,
frankness and impatience: he does not suffer fools gladly, and fools may
have to be dealt with in this kind of position. This likelihood makes me
doubt he would be interested. If I am wrong and he could count on concen-
trating on scientific leadership, you would want to give him even higher
priority, and he might be attaacted.

We have faced a similar problem here in our thinking about Biophysics (which
has not materialized especially) and there are two people who come to mid
for serious consideration: Britton Ghance and Bob Sinsheimer. Britt has
perhaps had the opportunity and not fully exercised {t to develop a strong
department as well as implement his own talents, but he still ranks very high
in my own thinking. Bob has more imagination to match Britt's precision, but
he lacks none of the qualities needed for the pest.

Thie may be a distraction from your query. In any cage I would urge you to
consult Henry for hia views on possible candidates. Of the three names I
have mentioned, my choice would depend mainly on the det&ils of the job
requirements.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

 

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bes cag

 

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