Beschreibung:

WATSON, James D. (b. 1920). Autograph Letter Signed (“Jim Watson”) [n.p.] 24 April 1949 to Dr. Hall. 2 pages 4to., Fine with pencil emendation above the salutation.
WATSON, James D. (b. 1920). Autograph Letter Signed (“Jim Watson”) [n.p.] 24 April 1949 to Dr. Hall. 2 pages 4to., Fine with pencil emendation above the salutation. An early letter by James Watson as a young doctoral student, written to a former professor on his plans to spend the summer at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory with Max Delbrück -- whose work on phage genetics helped form the one of the keys that led to the discovery of the structure of DNA. “Your letter of last week awaited me when I returned to Bloomington from a meeting at Oak Ridge[.] At present I’m working for a Ph.d. in genetics using Bacteriophage as a tool for studying the biological (genetic) effects of ionizing Radiations. If my present plans go through, I’ll receive my degree a year from now. I have practically finished my research for a thesis and my main task in the near future will be the writing of the thesis. It is now almost two years since I left Chicago and six since I entered the four year college. The old group at 5810 seems far in the past with only occasional meetings with Walt to remind me of the early days in the college. More often I hear from Gordon Lark who apparently also wants to work with bacteriophage. As I am accompanying my research director Dr. S[alvador]. E. Luria to the Cal Tech labs of Dr. M[ax]. Delbrück for the summer. I may be able to sop off at St. Louis for a visit. Thank you for remembering me during these many years.