Title:

A View of Genetics

Creator:

Lederberg, Joshua

Date:

1959

Description:

Joshua Lederberg's published version of his public lecture/acceptance speech given in Stockholm May 29, 1959 after being awarded of the Nobel Prize in 1958.

Publisher:

Imprimerie Royale P. A. Norstedt & Soner

Location:

Box: 80. Folder: 65

Rights:

Reproduced with permission of the Medical Nobel Committee.

Genre:

Speeches
Excerpts
Monographs

Subject:

Genetics, Microbial, Recombination, Genetic, DNA, Mutation, and Transduction, Genetic

Format:

Text

Extent:

22 pages

Language:

English

Legacy Source Citation:

Monograph. Lederberg, Joshua. "A View of Genetics." Les Prix Nobel En 1958. Imprimerie Royale P. A. Norstedt & Soner, 1959. Pp. 170-189. Excerpt. Monograph. Speech. 22 Images.. Lederberg UI. P81

Legacy ID:

BBABHH

NLM ID:

101584906X842

Profiles Collection:

The Joshua Lederberg Papers

Shareable Link:

https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/101584906X842

Annotation:

Author: Joshua Lederberg. Date Written: February 5, 1999. Errors in text: ingenious for ingenuous; too look; (1st page) KW: DNA revolution; The lecture was given , per statutes, about 6 months after Nobel award day. We were moving from U-Wis and it was too hectic Nov-Dec to prepare. With that deliberation, I decided to break tradition: my own work (at age 33) was already obsoleted by the DNA revolution, and I elected to talk about that! Not all biologists were ready to accept it yet (I think of Commoner, Lindegren, even Burnet, as holdouts in some fashion.) Note that last page was my formal responza at the ceremony: Les Prix Nobel en 1958, pp. 40-41 Reply to Peroration by M.E. Rudberg: Le premier a repondre a ce discours fut M. LEDERBERG qui s'exprima en ces termes: Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Pride is humbled as humility is exalted in the dignity and splendor of this occasion. Who would deny his pride in the appreciation of his fellows and to join therein with GEORGE W. BEADLE and EDWARD L. TATUM whose exploration and teaching have inspired a generation of discovery. Here pride must merge with humility in the same contemplation of the webs of interdependence of each investigator in the global community of scientific research, of each elusive fact in the continuum of human knowledge. But formal eclat and public attention are so unaccustomed a distinction that a scholar may ask by what lasting motive he is elevated from the simpler satisfactions of academic life. We must concede that some aspects of Nobel's dedication have been deflected by the force of history. His contrition for chemical inhumanity is shaded in the gloom of cosmic insecurity. Many sciences, and genetics in particular, have germinated and flowered only since his time. The growing complexity of science and the reticulation of its advances must make the task of singular choice ever more difficult and arbitrary. But if Nobel's honors are celebrated in Stockholm his passion is enacted in Oslo. His zeal for peace and international understanding is further expressed in his testamentary "wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration whatever shall be given to the nationality of the candidates". The merit the prizes have won is in the faith and courage of this trust. The illumination of human aspirations in intellect and in charity which transcend nationality is then the enduring warrant of Nobel's legacy. Our presence honors his hopes for the fraternity of mankind. My greatest pride and humblest gratitude is to join in this dedication. jl 2/5/99

Story Section:

Transduction, Plasmids, and the Foundation of Biotechnology

Lederberg Grouping:

P. Published Scientific Article.