Series 3: Correspondence, 1935-2008

The Correspondence Series contains correspondence and memoranda spanning Dr. Lederberg's lifetime. The series is divided into eight sub-series designed by Lederberg. Each sub-series is defined by specific date parameters and identified by a two-letter indicator. There is one sub-series that is unlike the others. The Chronological sub-series contains copies of Lederberg's regular outgoing correspondence during the years he worked at Stanford University and Rockefeller University. The other sub-series are divided as follows: CA (1935-1947), CB (1947-1953), CC (1953-1960), CD (1961-1978), CE (1978-1985), CF (1985-1999), and CG (2000-2008).

The majority of the correspondence relates to Lederberg's professional career both in and outside of the academic field. There are some letters of a more personal nature from his childhood in both the CA and CD sub-series. Other subjects represented in the series include research, the Nobel Prize, and governmental committees and public service organizations. For further material on Lederberg's work with governmental and private organizations please consult Series VI: Public Service, which contains a great deal of information related to his work with biological and chemical warfare policies in both the public and private sectors.