April 25, 1944
Dr. M. Demerec
Department of Genetics
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York
Dear Dr. Demerec:
I am pleased to know from your letter of April 17 that you are considering the appointment of Dr. Alfred Mirsky to your staff.
I have known Dr. Mirsky well for about ten years, and I have a very high opinion of him, which I am glad to communicate to
you.
Dr. Mirsky has in many respects truly remarkable ability as a scientist. I do not know any one who is so keenly interested
in the development of the field of science involving the applications of chemistry and physics to borderline problems of biology,
and especially of genetics, and who has such a penetrating understanding of the work which has been done. I find that every
conversation which I have with Dr. Mirsky gives me some valuable idea. He has a masterly ability to coordinate results into
a significant whole, for this reason alone Dr. Mirsky would, I feel, be a valuable addition to any laboratory in which intensive
scientific work is being carried on.
Mirsky is an able investigator, who works effectively on well chosen scientific problems. There is no doubt whatever as
to his ability to initiate work and to develop it independently. Moreover, the problems which he chooses for attack are
always important ones. Although he is an able independent investigator, who does not need to have his program of work laid
out for him by anyone else, he has not so far shown himself to be interested in directing any large group of assistants or
associate investigators. I would not expect him to want to supervise the work of a number of other people; judging from
what he has done in the past, I believe that he would, under favorable conditions, continue to carry on his work himself,
with the aid of, say, two or three technical and scientific assistants.
Judging from the talks which I have had with him in the last two or three years, I am sure that he will make every effort
to continue hit work on the application of chemical and physical methods to the problems of genetics, and I believe that he
will do this mainly by his own efforts, with the aid of whatever assistants are available to him.
Dr. M. Demerec
-2-
April 25, 1944
There is accordingly no doubt in my mind as to the answer to your Question as to Dr. Mirsky's ability to assume leadership
in a research project, and to initiate work and to develop it independently. In addition to carrying on his own research
program, he would, I am confident, be of great value to other members of your staff through discussions with them of the problems
of science.
Sincerely yours,
Linus Pauling
LP:jr
