UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN—MADISON

DEPARTMENT OF BACTERIOLOGY 1550 Linden Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Telephone: 608-262-2914

 

October 18, 1974

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

Professor of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Josh:

I received your letter the last week in September but I am having
difficulty getting an answer. I will give a short history of my goings on
since I saw you in 1971. Helen and I were off the first semester taking a
trip around the world. I thoroughly enjoyed myself as did she but I guess
I rather overdid it. We went to a meeting in Australia, spent a month on
that continent, then India, then Africa, of which my son is married to an
English girl who comes from South Africa, We then went up through Europe
and finally home, altogether spending months.

I felt a little tired after the trip but thoroughly enjoyed it. I
had the article in the Annual Review to write and starting in January I
proceeded to get this out. On March 22 I read the proof of this article,
finished up my course I gave to pharmacy students, and promptly passed out
completely. The trouble was in that I had a stroke. I was laid up for four
months in the hospital and came along rather slowly after that. Finally,
the first of February we went to spend the winter season in Texas and before
long I was sitting up till midnight listening to the television and thoroughly
enjoying myself. I have improved a great deal since that time and retired
in 1973. I was 70 years old at that time. I gather that you did not know
of this matter.

Now to get down to the business of this letter, I am endeavoring to
get some information and have been promised some from Dr. Brink, and as
soon as I can see him I will write you further, In the meantime, I was glad
to hear from you. I had heard a rumor that you had a young daughter and I
am delighted to have it confirmed.

3 hove, OST)

Unfortimately, I hadn't heard of this paper by Cole and Wright but
Wright died in early 1928, I believe. It was very tragic that he should die
at this time. He just keeled over with a bad heart or something. I knew
him fairly well as I had taken two courses in Bacteriology from him.

 

Sincerely,
“Pure Wo. Wibon,
PWW:is Perry W. WSlson (\

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES