March 2, 1938
Dear Linus:
This is in answer to your more personal letter of February 23rd. I have noticed your
comments about Dr. Wrinch, which do not particularly surprise me. I will surely be
much interested in the further report on this situation which you propose to send
to me soon. I rather hope that you will feel justified in preparing an exposition
of your own ideas of protein structure. One has, of course, to recognize the risks
involved in a paper which must necessarily be somewhat speculative in nature; but
it would certainly seem to me that the very substantial amount of rigorous and experimental
publication which you have to your credit would, without question, bear the burden
of a little speculation.
I am sorry that I have no useful information or advice to offer about Dr. Corey. It
just happens that we have had no contact with him and have no information concerning
his situation at the Rockefeller Institute.
When I was recently in England I talked with several men concerning a series of shifts
of personnel in the organic chemistry field which are imminent there. The post of
organic chemistry at King’s College has already been filled by the appointment of
Bennett of Sheffield. There is another, and presumably a somewhat more important post
in organic chemistry vacant at Imperial College; but there is every reasonable expectation
that Heilbron will be named to this post and that he will accept. I have the impression
that there is a good probability of your getting Todd. I think that Robinson has urged
him to accept a good offer from Pasadena. And I think that his father-in-law, Sir
Henry Dale, has similarly advised him. I rather suspect that both of these important
advisers have in the back of their minds the possibility that, after he has developed
somewhat further, they might hope to call him back to England for a really important
post. But I have so great a confidence in the Institute, in the scientific group there,
and, perhaps I should add, in the California climate, that I would be willing to trust
your capacity to hold Todd, if you can once get him.
Very cordially,
Warren
