28 October 1953
Dr. Farrington Daniels, President
American Chemical Society
University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, Wisconsin
Dear Farrington:
On my way to the dedication of the Weizmann Institute here, I stopped in Paris for six hours yesterday, and went to the Physical Chemistry Laboratory in the Sorbonne. There I was told that Mme. Joliot-Curie, having applied for A.C.S. membership (re-in-statement, I think) had been refused membership. I immediately went to the Institut du Radium and found that it was true - she showed me the letter, dated 24, July, and signed by Norman Bekkedahl. I apologized, for the American Chemical Society, and said that I would get in touch with you. I trust that you will rectify this without delay.
Mme. Joliot-Curie is of course a fine person, and a great scientist - a Nobel Laureate, with father, mother, and husband all Nobel Laureates.
I hope that you can take action before our country is further damaged - the news seems to be spreading among French chemists, and creating ill will.
Sincerely,
(Signed) Linus Pauling
October
28, 1953
