ID# 1750:
T.J. Harris letter to C.B. Davenport, about hereditary genius (4/5/1934)
Date:
1934
Pages: 1 of 1
Source:
Cold Spring Harbor, ERO, Davenport, 1933-34

T.J. Harris letter to C.B. Davenport, about hereditary genius (4/5/1934)

Thomas J. Harris, M.D. 104 East 40th Street New York Tel. Caledonia 5-0519 Mornings by Appointment April 5th, 1934 Dr. C. B. Davenport, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Cold Spring Harbor, New York My dear Dr. Davenport: I am taking the liberty of turning to you for information. I want to know if you can direct me to any studies that have been made upon the subject of the [hand underlined]transmission of genius[end underline]. My interest has been aroused by reading the history of the family, direct and collateral, of Johannes Emanuel Bach. Galton states that there are 57 Bachs more or less distinguished as musicians. If I am correct, this commanding musical endowment disappeared with his children, all of whom were with one or two exceptions, talented organists. I am under the impression that his progeny has died out. I am profoundly ignorant on the entire matter but cannot help believing that the fact that the outstanding great men of history like, Napolean, Bismark, Charles Fox, Dante and Goethe left no descendants who compared with them in accomplishments, has received extensive consideration. I shall greatly appreciate hearing from you on the subject when you have a little time. It is my hope that I shall have an opportunity of visiting you in your laboratory some time in the near future. Very sincerely yours, [signed] Thomas J. Harris, M. D. TJH:LE P.S. By this mail I am sending you a copy of the program of the American Otological Society. I thought you might be interested to look it through. [end]

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