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Home , Abraham Pais, Barry Mazur, Chiara Nappi, Curtis Callan, Edward Witten, Herman Feshbach

THE I NSTITUTE L E T T E R

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY PRINCETON, · SPRING 2004

J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER CENTENNIAL (1904–1967)

uch has been written about J. Robert Oppen- tions. His younger brother, Frank, would also become a , who would Mheimer. The substance of his life, his intellect, his . later work with Oppen- patrician manner, his leadership of the Los Alamos In 1921, Oppenheimer graduated from the Ethical heimer at Los Alamos: National Laboratory, his political affiliations and post- Culture School of New York at the top of his class. At “In addition to a superb war military/security entanglements, and his early death Harvard, Oppenheimer studied and sci- literary style, he brought from cancer, are all components of his compelling story. ence, philosophy and Eastern religion, French and Eng- to them a degree of lish literature. He graduated summa cum laude in 1925 sophistication in and afterwards went to Cambridge University’s previously unknown in Cavendish Laboratory as research assistant to J. J. the . Here Thomson. Bored with routine laboratory work, he went was a man who obviously to the University of Göttingen, in Germany. understood all the deep Göttingen was the place for quantum physics. Oppen- secrets of quantum heimer met and studied with some of the day’s most mechanics, and yet made prominent figures, and among it clear that the most them. In 1927, Oppenheimer received his doctorate. In important questions were the same year, he worked with Born on the structure of unanswered. His earnest- NY STATE DEPT. OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COURTESY THE IAS ARCHIVES molecules, producing the Born-Oppenheimer Approxi- ness and deep involve- Oppenheimer in 1947 mation. Subsequently, he traveled from one prominent ment gave his research center of physics to another: Harvard, California Insti- students the same sense of challenge. He never gave his tute of Technology, Leyden, and Zurich. In 1929, he students the easy and superficial answers but trained received offers to teach at Caltech and the University of them to appreciate and work on the deep problems.” California at Berkeley. Accepting both, he divided his When Julius Oppenheimer died in 1937, Oppen- time between Pasadena and Berkeley, attracting his own heimer became a wealthy man. In 1940 he married circle of brilliant young physics students. Katharine (Kitty) Puening Harrison, a biologist and “His lectures were a great experience, for ex- divorcee whose second husband had been killed during perimental as well as theoretical ,” commented (Continued on page 4)

The School of Natural Sciences, Then and Now

ALAN RICHARDS . Robert Oppenheimer’s influ- J. Robert Oppenheimer in his office at the J ence on 20th-century physics Institute for Advanced Study was furthur enhanced when he became Director of the Institute A number of plays have been written about him. for Advanced Study in 1947. He American composer (Nixon in China) is cur- attracted leading in the new rently at work on an opera. Commissioned by the San area of to the Francisco Opera, and tentatively titled “Doctor Atomic,” Institute, where he presided over it is scheduled to premier in September of 2005. what has been described as a Much of the drama of Oppenheimer’s life unfolded in “Golden Age for Physics.” The the early years following World War II when he was Direc- Institute became a world center tor of the Institute for Advanced Study, the position he for the development of high ener- held from 1947 until 1966. He was simultaneously Chair- gy physics and field theory. Like man of the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic in the twenties and Energy Commission (AEC), from 1947 through 1952. thirties, the Institute became the Born Julius Robert Oppenheimer, on 22 April 1904 in new Mecca for theoretical physi- , Robert grew up in a Manhattan apart- cists. Among those who flocked to ment decorated with paintings by Van Gogh, Cézanne, the Institute were established fig- and Gauguin. His father, Julius Oppenheimer, was a Ger- ures such as , Paul man immigrant who worked in his family’s textile Dirac, Sin-Itiro Tomonaga and NY STATE DEPT. OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COURTESY THE IAS ARCHIVES importing business. His mother, Ella Friedman, was a (Continued on page 4) Oppenheimer with and at the Institute in 1947 painter whose family had been in New York for genera- NEWS OF THE INSTITUTE COMMUNITY

n May, Quantum Theory as an Emergent Phenomenon: set of four lectures on auction theory at the Institute for Mathematical Society in recognition of notable IThe of Matrix Models as the Precur- Advanced Study, Wuhan University, China. published research in or . Dr. Gabai is sor of by STEPHEN L. ADLER, q cited for his work in and, in particu- Professor in the School of Natural Sciences, was pub- lar, the topology of 3-dimensional . lished by Cambridge University Press. The book repre- n its issue of April 26, TIME Magazine named Of the 21 who have received the sents the culmination of nearly twenty years of Professor IEDWARD WITTEN, Professor in the prize since its inception, 16 have been associated with Adler’s work on embeddings of in School of Natural Sciences, one of America’s “100 Most the Institute. They include: Christos D. Papakyri- larger mathematical frameworks. Influential People.” BERNARD LEWIS, frequent Mem- akopoulos (recipient of the first Veblen Prize, 1964), ber in the School of Historical Studies was also named. q Raoul H. Bott (1964), (1966), Morton q Brown and (1966), Robion C. Kirby edieval Islamic Political Thought by PATRICIA (1971), Dennis P. Sullivan (1971), William P. Thurston MCRONE, Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the School n January, PETER PARET, Professor Emeritus in the (1976), James Simons (1976), Shing-Tung Yau (1981), of Historical Studies, was published in January by Edin- ISchool of Historical Studies, spoke at the plenary ses- Michael H. Freedman (1986), Richard Hamilton burgh University Press, U.K., and in April by Columbia sion of the annual meeting of the American Historical (1996), Gang Tian (1996), (2001), and University Press, with the title God’s Rule: Government and Association in Washington D.C. His speech focused on (2001). Islam: Six Centuries of Medieval Islamic Political Thought. conflicting views of “the people in arms” at the end of q q the 18th century and is to be published in the Journal of the History of Ideas. ath and the Mona Lisa: The Art and Science of IERRE DELIGNE, Professor in the School of Math- q MLeonardo da Vinci by BÜLENT ATALAY, Member Pematics, has been elected a foreign member of the in the School of Natural Sciences (1974–75, 1982–83), AVID GABAI, Member in the School of Mathe- Academia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome. was published in April by Smithsonian Institution Press. matics (1982–83, 1989–90), has received the 2004 q D Oswald Veblen Prize in Geometry. The prize, named in q n January, ERIC S. MASKIN, Albert O. Hirschman honor of former Faculty Member and Trustee Oswald aking Ireland British 1580–1650 by NICHOLAS IProfessor in the School of Social Science, delivered a Veblen, is awarded every three years by the American MCANNY, Member in the School of Historical Studies (1979–80), was published in 2001 by , New York. GEORGE F. KENNAN AT THE INSTITUTE FOR q ADVANCED STUDY OHN CARDY, Member in the School of Natural Sci- Symposium celebrates Professor Kennan’s 100th Birthday Jences (2003), has won the American Physical Soci- ety’s Prize for “profound and original appli- he Symposium in Honor of cations of conformal invariance to the bulk and bound- TGeorge F. Kennan at the Institute ary properties of two-dimensional statistical systems.” for Advanced Study in February drew q members of Professor Kennan’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as dis- ARLOS EIRE, Member in the School of Historical tinguished historians and diplomats. CStudies (1986–87, 1992–93), won the 2003 Speakers included Institute Director National Book Award for Waiting for Snow in Havana: Peter Goddard, James D. Wolfensohn, Confessions of a Cuban Boy. José Cutileiro and Jack F. Matlock, Jr. q Presentations were as follows: “Reflec- AWRENCE C. EVANS, Member in the School of tions on a Century” by Lawrence S. Mathematics (1987–89), has received the American Eagleburger, “George Kennan and L Mathematical Society’s 2004 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Russia” by Alexander A. Bessmertnykh, Seminal Contribution to Research, jointly with Nicolai “George Kennan and the New Europe: V. Krylov. A German Perspective” by Karl Kaiser, q and “The Container Contained” by Strobe Talbott. rdinary Prussians: Brandenburg Junkers and Villagers, 1500–1840 by WILLIAM W. HAGEN, Member in The symposium was organized by MICHAEL CICCONE O the School of Historical Studies (1990–91), was pub- José Cutileiro and supported by contri- Just two days after his 100th birthday on February 16, George F. Kennan made butions from Theodore L. Cross, a surprise visit to the Institute. Professor in the School of Historical Studies lished in 2002 by Cambridge University Press, London. Hamish Maxwell, and Stiftungfonds since 1956 and Professor Emeritus since 1974, Professor Kennan (seated) and q Deutsche Bank. his personal assistant Tony Mano (in bow tie) were greeted by, from left to right: Trustee Emeritus Ladislaus von Hoffmann; George F. Kennan Professor OHN W. MILNOR, Professor in the School of Math- José Cutileiro; Professor Kennan’s grandson George Kennan Pfaeffli (partially Jematics (1970–90), and Member in the School of Attending the symposium in Professor Kennan’s hidden in back); Professor Kennan’s son-in-law, Kevin Delaney; Institute Mathematics (1965–66), has received the American honor, are from left to right: Strobe Talbott, Director Peter Goddard (in rear), Chairman of the Board of Trustees James D. Mathematical Society’s 2004 Leroy P. Steele Prize for President of The Brookings Institution, and Wolfensohn, and Elaine Wolfensohn. Mathematical Exposition. former Deputy Secretary of State; Jack F. Matlock, Jr., the last U.S. Ambassador to the q Former , and former George F. ABRIELE VENEZIANO, Member in the School of Kennan Professor in the School of Historical Natural Sciences (1970, 1998), has received the Studies; José Cutileiro, George F. Kennan G Professor in the School of Historical Studies, American Physical Society’s Dannie Heineman Prize for and former Secretary General of the Western for “pioneering discoveries in dual European Union; Lawrence S. Eagleburger, resonance models which, partly through his own efforts, former Secretary of State; Karl Kaiser, Otto- have developed into theory and a basis for the Wolff-Director Emeritus of the German Council quantum theory of .” on Foreign Relations, and Visiting Scholar, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, ; Alexander A. Bessmert- THE INSTITUTE LETTER nykh, last Foreign Minister of the Former Soviet is published three times per academic year. Union; James D. Wolfensohn, President of the Georgia Whidden, Editor ✸Linda Arntzenius, Associate Editor World Bank, and Chairman of the Board of Alison Carver, Design Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Study; and Institute Director Peter Goddard. Institute for Advanced Study, Einstein Drive,

CLIFF MOORE Princeton, NJ 08540-0631 ✸ Telephone 609-734-8239

2 UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS

PROSPECTS IN workshop will bring together individuals who July 19–30: study genomic instability from different per- rospects in Theoretical Physics (PiTP), sponsored by spectives, and will offer opportunities for Pthe Institute for Advanced Study’s School of Natur- extended discussion and learning, and for al Sciences, is an intensive two-week summer program identifying areas for cross-pollination between designed for graduate students considering a career in experimental scientists and mathematical theoretical physics. In addition to Institute Faculty, modelers. many faculty members from the physics and astrophysics Genomic instability often involves gross departments at are actively chromosomal abnormalities such as deletion involved in the program together with scientists from and duplication of chromosomes or chromo- neighboring institutions. The program builds on the some parts, chromosomal rearrangements,

strong relationship between the research groups at the and mitotic recombinations, generally termed ANNE BAXTER HUMES Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University. “chromosomal instability.” Other types of Participants in the Program for Women in Mathematics First held in the summer of 2002, this year’s program genomic instability are characterized by an increased rate of small-scale genetic changes (such as microsatel- Gigliola Staffilani (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), lite instability). Mechanisms of genomic instability are will lecture during the second week. Juhi Jang (Brown intimately related to many aspects of cell biology, such University) will be the teaching assistant. as cell cycle regulation, DNA damage and repair, cell This course will present some classical and more mod- aging, and telomere function. ern methods in the study of the linear and nonlinear On the other hand, the role of genomic instability in wave equations when data are assigned at the initial cancer initiation and progression can be studied from the time. Participants will see that abstract functional analy- point of view of somatic evolution of cells, where math- sis, harmonic analysis, and Fourier analysis can be used to ematical modeling can play an important part. Quantita- solve a very “physical” problem. tive methods can provide an important tool in decipher- Cynthia Diane Rudin, a graduate student at Prince- ing the mystery of genomic instability, as has been seen ton University and former Program participant, will with the study of infectious diseases, where mathemati- organize the Women in Science seminars. On Saturday, cians and biologists worked hand-in-hand to generate May 20, a reunion of past participants will feature lec- useful insights. It is expected that a similar phenomenon tures, panel discussions, and a research poster session. will happen in the area of cancer research. This work- The Program’s organizers are former Member and for- shop, the first attempt to create a forum for experimental mer Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of biologists and modelers of genomic instability, is Mathematics, (University of Texas at

ANNE BAXTER HUMES designed to encourage collaboration and improve the Austin), current Member Sun-Yung Alice Chang Poster session at the 2003 Prospects in Theoretical Physics Program understanding of cancer. (Princeton University), and former Member Chuu-Lian Workshop organizers are Natalia L. Komarova, Rut- Terng (Notheastern University). is geared toward advanced (4th and 5th year) graduate gers, The State University of New Jersey and the Insti- The Program for Women in Mathematics, a joint students actively involved in research in string theory. tute for Advanced Study, and Arnold J. Levine, Visiting program of the Institute for Advanced Study and Morning lectures will be followed by informal sessions in Professor in the School of Natural Sciences and the Can- Princeton University, receives support from The Starr the afternoon in which all participants will have the cer Institute of New Jersey. Foundation. For further information, see opportunity for interactive discussions on the latest The Center for Systems Biology at the Institute for http://www.math.ias.edu/womensprogram. advances and open questions in string theory. Advanced Study explores links between theoretical and A partial list of organizers and lecturers includes: experimental biology, especially the interface of molecu- Juan Maldacena, , and of lar biology and the physical sciences. The Center for Sys- THE 53RD A.W. MELLON LECTURES the Institute for Advanced Study; , Steven tems Biology is receiving support from the Leon Levy and April 18–May 23: “More Than Meets the Eye” Gubser, Nissan Itzhaki, , , Shelby White Initiatives Fund, and other current grants. rving Lavin, Professor Emeritus in the School of His- and Leonardo Rastelli of Princeton University; Louise For further information, see http://www.csb.ias.edu. Itorical Studies, where he was Professor of Art History Dolan of the University of North Carolina at Chapel from 1973–2001, is this year’s A. W. Mellon Lecturer in Hill; Burt Ovrut of the University of Pennsylvania; the Fine Arts. Profes- Stephen Shenker of ; Kenneth PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS sor Lavin will deliver Intriligator of the University of California at San Diego; May 17–28: Analysis and Nonlinear PDEs a series of six lectures and Charles Thorn of the University of Florida in he Program for Women in Mathematics provides on successive Sun- Gainesville. Tan opportunity for women undergraduate and grad- days between April The PiTP program intends to help train the next uate students to work together with research mathe- 18 and May 23 at generation of scholars in theoretical physics. An effort is maticians during an intensive 11-day workshop that 2:00 p.m. at the made to reach out to women and minorities, as well as includes lectures and seminars on a focused topic, men- National Gallery of to graduate students in small universities who typically toring, discussions on peer relations, and an introduc- Art in Washington do not have the same opportunities and access to lead- tion to career opportunities. This year’s topic is analysis D.C. The series, ers in the field as graduate students in large research and nonlinear PDEs, and the program will include two “More Than Meets institutions. The program has received support from the lecture courses designed for beginning and advanced the Eye,” includes Concordia Foundation, J. Seward Johnson, Sr. Charita- students in the field. six lectures titled ble Trusts, and the National Science Foundation. For The beginning lecture course, “Harmonic Analysis: “The Story of O further information, see http://www.admin.ias.edu/pitp. from Fourier to Haar,” will introduce students to the from Giotto to

basics of harmonic analysis, from Fourier’s heat equa- Einstein,” on April RANDALL HAGADORN tion, and the decomposition of functions into sums of 18; “Michelangelo, IAS CENTER FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY Irving Lavin, Professor Emeritus in cosines and sines (frequency analysis) to dyadic har- Moses, and the War- the School of Historical Studies June 8–9: Genomic Instability and Cancer monic analysis (or decomposition into Haar basis func- rior Pope,” on April ponsored by the Institute for Advanced Study and tions, involving time localization). Lesley Ward (Harvey 25; “Caravaggio I: Divine Dissimulation,” on May 2; Sthe Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoreti- Mudd College) will be the lecturer for the first week, “Caravaggio II: The View from Behind,” on May 9; “The cal Computer Science (DIMACS), , and Cristina Pereyra (University of New Mexico) will Infinite Spiral: Claude Mellan’s Miraculous Image,” on a workshop on “Genomic Instability in Cancer: Biolog- lecture during the second week. Manuela Longoni de May 16; and “Going for Baroque: Observations on the ical and Mathematical Approaches” intends to initiate Castro (University of Mexico) and Stephanie Molnar Postmodern Fold,” on May 23. dialogue between experimental biologists and mathe- (UCLA) will be the teaching assistants. Professor Lavin’s numerous books on Florentine and matical modelers on the subject of genomic instability, a The topic of the advanced lecture course is “The Wave Roman sculpture and architecture include: Santa Maria characteristic of many cancers. Equation: Classical and Modern Methods.” Jill Pipher del Fiore: The Cathedral of Florence and the Pregnant The role of genomic instability in cancer progression (Brown University) will be the lecturer for the first week, Madonna (1999); Bernini, the Savior, and the “Good is an important and, as yet, unresolved question. The and current Member in the School of Mathematics (Continued on page 6)

3 OPPENHEIMER (Continued from page 1) the Spanish Civil War. The couple had two delivered the Reith lectures on the BBC in children. 1953. These were published under the title World War II interrupted the work and “Science and the Common Understanding.” lives of most American physicists. In 1942, In April 1962, the U.S. Government Oppenheimer was appointed to the Manhat- made amends for the treatment J. Robert tan Project, code-name for the project to Oppenheimer suffered during the Mc- develop an atomic bomb. The project Carthy years, when President Kennedy involved several laboratories in secret loca- invited Oppenheimer to a White House tions across the country, including the Uni- dinner of Nobel Prize winners. In 1963, versity of Chicago; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; President Johnson awarded Oppenheimer and Los Alamos, New Mexico. Oppenheimer the highest honor given by the AEC, the oversaw the construction of the Los Alamos Fermi Award. laboratory, where he gathered the best minds Oppenheimer continued to stimulate in physics to work on the problem of creat- research in theoretical physics as Director ing an atomic bomb. Because of his leader- of the Institute for Advanced Study until ship in this project, he is often referred to as 1966. He died of throat cancer on February the “father” of the atomic bomb. 18, 1967. When the war ended, the government In 1967, George F. Kennan, Professor set up the Atomic Energy Commission to Emeritus in the School of Historical Stud- replace the . The AEC ies, wrote of his Institute colleague and con- ALAN RICHARDS was charged with overseeing all atomic temporary (both men were born in 1904): research and development in the United States. As Oppenheimer in 1947 at the Shelter Island conference where theoret- “In preserving and developing the Institute for Chairman of the General Advisory Committee, Oppen- ical physicists gathered to discuss the state of their field in the aftermath Advanced Study as a seat of the purest and highest sort heimer opposed the development of the hydrogen of World War II. From left to right, standing, are: W. Lamb, K.K. of scientific and intellectual effort; in giving hospitality, bomb. Known as the “Super Bomb,” the hydrogen bomb Darrow, , George E. Uhlenbeck, Robert E. Marshak, encouragement and inspiration to a host of talented was a thousand times more powerful than the atomic , and David Bohm. From left to right, seated are: J. scholars—in many instances great scholars—from all bomb. In the context of the Cold War, when the Unit- Robert Oppenheimer (holding pipe), Abraham Pais, Richard P. parts of the world; in setting for these visitors and for ed States and the Soviet Union jockeyed for power, Feynman (seated, with pen in hand), and . thousands of others outside of Princeton an example of Oppenheimer’s stance was controversial. the scientific mind at its best, rigorous but humane, fas- In the 1950s, while Oppenheimer was Director of the with the AEC. Doors that had formerly been open to tidious but generous and powerful, uncompromisingly Institute, anti-Communist hysteria was sweeping him were closed. “Oppenheimer took the outcome of responsible in its relationship to ascertainable truth but through Washington, D.C., spearheaded by the conser- the security hearing very quietly but he was a changed never neglectful of the need for elegance and beauty in vative Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. person; much of his previous spirit and liveliness had left the statement of it;—in doing all these things, he was McCarthy and anti-Communist zealots devoted them- him,” recalled Hans Bethe. rendering a service of great importance to the progress of selves to rooting out Communist spies from every walk Oppenheimer’s concern for the general public’s lack of science and humane letters in this country and the of American life. Oppenheimer was subjected to a secu- scientific understanding, and the difficulty of conveying world over; and he was conscious of doing so. This was, rity investigation that became a cause célèbre and divid- the content of scientific discoveries as well as the exhila- I am sure, a comfort and a solace to him in the face of ed the intellectual and scientific community. In 1953, ration of the creative act of discovery to even educated the disappointments and frustrations with which these he was denied security clearance and lost his position lay people, led to several popular essays on science. He years were otherwise replete.”

SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES (Continued from page 1) tute for Advanced Study. There was always a burning Sciences are theory, astrophysics, question which had to be discussed from all aspects, a and mathematical physics. String theory, in particular, is solution to be found, to be rejected, and another solution currently the most exciting and actively pursued branch attempted. Wherever he was, there was always life and of physics. Strong claims have been made for this theo- excitement, and the expectation of excitement in ry, which, in the view of many, is the best hope for pro- physics for generations to come.” viding a unified theory of the fundamental forces of During Oppenheimer’s tenure as Director of the Insti- nature, sometimes called the “.” tute, outstanding physicists were appointed to the per- Current Faculty of the School of Natural Sciences manent Faculty: Abraham Pais in 1950, are Stephen Adler, John Bahcall, , in 1953, T. D. Lee and C. N. Yang in 1955, and Bengt Juan Maldacena, Strömgren in 1957. Yang and Lee did their 1957 Nobel Nathan Seiberg, Prize-winning work on parity violation while they were and Edward Witten. Faculty at the Institute. In the 1960s, there were six Professor Emeritus COURTESY OF THE IAS ARCHIVES physics professors—Abraham Pais, C. N. Yang, T. D. Freeman Dyson is Abraham Pais, Sumiko Yakawa, and Hideki Yakawa, circa 1950 Lee, Freeman Dyson, Tullio Regge, and Bengt Ström- an active member of Hideki Yukawa, and younger scholars such as Murray gren—in the School of Mathematics. Nominally part of the School. Gell-Mann, Freeman Dyson, , Francis Low, the School of Mathematics, physicists formed a working Each year the , Ros Jost, and Cécile DeWitt-Morette. group within it until an independent School of Natural School has some 50 By all accounts, Oppenheimer’s lecture style benefit- Sciences was established in 1966. Members working ed from an erudite command of the English language and The presence of physics, however, goes back to the full time in particle a dry wit. He conveyed a sense of excitement about the Institute’s first Faculty appointments of Einstein, Weyl, physics and astro- scientific endeavor. Hans A. Bethe has written: “J. and von Neumann, in 1933. Einstein was a physicist. physics. Short-term Robert Oppenheimer did more than any other man to Weyl and von Neumann were mathematicians who had visitors, some 150 make American theoretical physics great. His taste and made major contributions to physics. In 1933, the Insti- annually, include his knowledge guided and stimulated young American tute had no permanent building. Its School of Mathe- invited scholars physicists for two generations ... Oppenheimer’s mind matics was housed in borrowed quarters in the mathe- COURTESY OF THE IAS ARCHIVES from around the was all the time concerned with the most fundamental matics department at Princeton University. The Uni- Professor Emeritus in the School of world for periods of a Natural Sciences Freeman Dyson, questions in physics. This attitude of concentrating on versity’s generous act of offering office space to the few days to a few in the late 1940s the fundamental difficulties and ignoring the easy prob- newly formed Institute’s Faculty initiated some confu- months. To encour- lems, he communicated to his students. ‘What we don’t sion. The Institute has often been incorrectly perceived age graduate students in the field, the School has understand we explain to each other,’ he once said in as part of Princeton University. created a two-week summer program, Prospects in describing the activities of the physics group at the Insti- Today, the areas of interest of the School of Natural Theoretical Physics (see page 3).

4 REMEMBERING In the Spirit of Einstein’s Legendary Generosity, the Institute Donates Einstein Furniture to the Historical Society of Princeton

his year marks the usually gave away presents he received to T125th anniversary of anyone with a pitiful story.” the birth of Albert Einstein So it was that Rosenberg found himself (1879–1955) in Ulm, Ger- surreptitiously installing an FM radio anten- many, where, auspiciously, na on the roof of 112 Mercer Street while the city’s motto is Ulmensis Einstein’s secretary, Helen Dukas, made sure sunt mathematici. At the that Einstein would remain absent from his Institute for Advanced home. The antenna lead was dropped from Study, where he was a the chimney above Einstein’s study, through member of the Faculty from the bottom windowsill, and concealed 1933 until his death 22 under the rug where it lay hidden until years later, Professor March 14, 1949, when Institute Director J. Einstein is still very much Robert Oppenheimer transported Jack a part of living memory. Rosenberg and the equipment to Einstein’s While there is no overt home for the gift’s installation and presen- memorial to the great tation. scientist, who was appoint- Rosenberg writes: “When all three cabi- ed one of the Institute’s nets were installed, I began hooking up the first Faculty members—his interconnecting cables and told Einstein it home at 112 Mercer Street was an FM radio music system. He said ‘But continues to be a private does it not need an aerial?’ I reached under home, his office continues the rug, picked up the lead, and connected as the office of a working it to the tuner. Suddenly it all registered. ALAN RICHARDS —neverthe- PETER C. COOK, COURTESY OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRINCETON ‘You have been here before. How did you Albert Einstein in front of the Institute for Advanced Study less, Einstein’s legacy of Einstein’s 19th-century grandfather clock is get in?’ People unknown to him were never excellence is still present. now part of the Albert Einstein furniture col- permitted to enter the house. By this time During his lifetime, Einstein’s personal generosity was such that when his friends lection at the Historical Society of Princeton. the radio was playing a classical composi- and colleagues wanted to celebrate his 70th birthday, they devised a plan to surprise tion. The look of pleasure in his face was a him with a gift he could not give away. At sight I will never forget ... I have never witnessed a more authentic surprise.” age 88, Jack Rosenberg, then a young engi- To express his gratitude, Professor neer just out of the armed services and Einstein invited Jack Rosenberg and working on ’s Electron- his wife, Frances, to his home for the ic Computer Project at the Institute, first of a series of conversations that remembers the occasion in his unpublished the Rosenbergs enjoyed until they left memoir. As he records, Mr. Rosenberg had Princeton in October, 1951. not expected to meet the famous scientist, When Einstein died in 1955, he with whom he shared a passionate love of bequeathed his home to the Institute. classical music, let alone receive his atten- The Einstein home was one of the tion and friendship. first planned gifts to the Institute for In the late 1940s, Mr. Rosenberg’s Advanced Study and it prompted the expertise in designing and constructing his creation, in 1996, of the Einstein own high fidelity recording system, at a Legacy Society to honor those who time when no such equipment was com- name the Institute in their will and mercially available, brought him to the those who make a planned gift. Ein-

attention of Einstein’s close friend and fel- PETER C. COOK, COURTESY OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRINCETON stein’s stepdaughter, Margot, lived in low Institute professor, art historian Erwin Einstein was photographed on numerous occa- the home, which contained the fami- Panofsky. Built for his own pleasure, sions seated in this favorite upholstered tub arm- ly’s furniture brought from Germany Rosenberg’s audio equipment filled an chair, now part of the Albert Einstein furniture entire room of his small Princeton apart- collection at the Historical Society of Princeton.

ment. Word of its quality soon spread among local music lovers. PETER C. COOK, COURTESY OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRINCETON As recalled in Rosenberg’s memoir, This late 19th-century German oak cabinet that stood Erwin Panofsky approached him in the in Albert Einstein’s Princeton home at 112 Mercer laboratory of the Electronic Computer Street is among the the 65 items of furniture donated Project building to request a “favor.” by the Institute for Advanced Study to the Historical Society of Princeton. The favor was to build an audio system consisting of an FM tuner, amplifier, and loudspeaker, each housed in a sep- shortly after Einstein came to America, until her arate wood cabinet. Signals would be death in 1986. received from classical music broad- In the spirit of Einstein’s generosity, the Insti- casting stations located in New York tute for Advanced Study has donated 65 pieces City; the entire project was to be kept of his possessions to the Historical Society of secret from Einstein until a working Princeton. The 65 pieces include Einstein’s trea- system could be unveiled. Rosenberg sured Biedermeir-style grandfather clock, his says, “Einstein’s friends wanted to give favorite armchair, his wooden music stand, and

him something that would please him. PETER C. COOK, COURTESY OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRINCETON his pipe. Not only did they want to select some- Albert Einstein loved classical music The Historical Society plans to devote a ALAN RICHARDS thing Einstein would enjoy frequently, and was a keen violinist. His maple room in Bainbridge House, at 158 Nassau Albert Einstein in his study at 112 Mercer Street, but they also wanted something he music stand is among the items given to Street, to the collection as part of an education- Princeton, New Jersey could not easily bestow on someone the Historical Society of Princeton by al and interpretative appreciation of Einstein’s else. Since he was overly generous, he the Institute. life and work.

5 FRIENDS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

he Friends of the Institute have enjoyed a full history of Africa and the African Diaspora. Tschedule of activities this year, including four Ronald A. Carson, Special Visitor in the School of Friends Forums. Social Science, spoke on “Metaphorical Concentration The first, titled “Fighting AIDS in Developing in Medicine,” in April. A bioethicist and “medical Countries: ’s Model of Success,” was presented in humanist,” Dr. Carson’s work is devoted to making October by Director’s Visitor José Serra. As Brazilian healthcare more humane. He is the author of numerous Minister of Health from 1998 to 2002, José Serra was articles and three books. Dr. Carson is the Harris L. involved with intellectual property and strategic drug Kempner Distinguished Professor and Director, Institute issues particularly as they pertain to the treatment of for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Med- AIDS. Brazil’s anti-AIDS campaign and AIDS policy is ical Branch. considered the best among developing countries, and The fall Fireside Chat was given in October by Dr. Serra discussed the evolution of Brazil’s AIDS strate- author Michael Curtis, who presented findings from his gies in this talk. book, Verdict on Vichy: Power and Prejudice in the Vichy In November, Caroline Walker Bynum, Professor of France Regime, which explores the attitudes and actions European Medieval History in the Institute’s School of of French officials and citizens towards in France Historical Studies, presented “The Presence of Objects: during World War II. In the book, Dr. Curtis examines Medieval Anti-Judaism in Modern Germany.” Dr. the degree to which French citizens, including ministers Bynum described her talk as follows: “In the later Mid- ANDREA KANE and officials of the Vichy regime, the legal and adminis- dle Ages in Germany, there were a number of sites Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in conversation with Elaine trative system, the Church, and lay people, collectively where pilgrimages and pogroms developed around Wolfensohn at the Institute for Advanced Study participated in the discrimination and persecution of objects supposedly abused by Jews. In some of these Jews. Michael Curtis is Distinguished Professor Emeritus places, the objects survive until today and raise ques- American intellectual of the 20th century, dreamed of of Political Science at Rutgers University. tions about how contemporary Germans and non-Ger- editing an “Encyclopaedia Africana,” which he envi- The Friends Executive Committee hosted a holiday mans should treat such shameful objects from the past.” sioned as a comprehensive compendium of knowledge reception for Friends and Faculty in December at which Dr. Bynum spoke about “the medieval context for such about the history, cultures, and social institutions of the guests of honor were Phillip and Taffy Griffiths. In objects and modern attempts to memorialize and expi- people of African descent. Du Bois was able to secure January, Friends held a welcome reception for Peter and ate the events.” only half the funds needed to complete his project. Helen Goddard. In March, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Joint Visitor in Inspired by Du Bois’ dream, Harvard professor Henry Upcoming Friends events include the Friends annual the Schools of Historical Studies and Social Science, Louis Gates, Jr., and his colleague Kwame Anthony meeting and picnic on June 2. For information on these presented “W.E.B. Du Bois and the Encyclopaedia Appiah, created what was left unfinished by Du Bois: events, or if you are interested in becoming a Friend, Africana.” W.E.B. Du Bois, the leading African- the first scholarly encyclopedia whose scope is the entire please call Pamela Hughes at (609) 734-8204.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS AMIAS (Continued from page 3) n March, Dr. Goddard traveled to Death” in Seventeenth-Century Rome (1998), Bernini and California and Washington to host I the Unity of the Visual Arts (1980), and Bernini and the receptions for former Members and of Saint Peter’s (1967). Studies published in Past- Friends of the Institute. At the Califor- Present: Essays on Historicism in Art from Donatello to nia Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Picasso (1993) range from the early Renaissance through former Member Diana Kormos- the twentieth century. Buchwald spoke on “The History and For further information see http://www.nga.gov/ Work of the Einstein Papers Project.” programs. Visiting Intel in Berkeley, Avi Wigder- son, Herbert H. Maass Professor in the School of Mathematics, presented “The IAS/PARK CITY MATHEMATICS INSTITUTE Digital Envelope—A Crash Course in July 11–31: Geometric Combinatorics Modern Cryptography,” and, in Medina, The 2004 PCMI Summer Session will take place July Washington, Arnold Levine, Visiting 11–31 in Park City, Utah. Each year, the IAS/Park City Professor in the School of Natural Sci- Mathematics Institute (PCMI), a program of the Insti- ences, introduced guests to the IAS LINDA GERACI tute for Advanced Study, draws mathematics Center for Systems Biology and spoke Dr. Peter Goddard with Diana Kormos-Buchwald, Director of the Einstein researchers, educators, and post-secondary students for a on the “Human Genome Project.” Papers Project at Caltech, and AMIAS Board member three-week summer program of professional develop- ment and study. From left: This year’s research topic is “Geometric Combina- Visiting Professor torics;” the education theme is “From Policy to Prac- Arnold Levine, tice: Partnerships with School Districts.” Research Institute Trustee organizers are Ezra Miller and Victor Reiner of the Uni- Charles Simonyi, former Members versity of Minnesota, and Bernd Sturmfels of the Uni- in the School of versity of California at Berkeley. Education coordina- Mathematics tors are Gail Burrill and Joan Ferrini-Mundy of Michi- Christian Borgs and gan State University, and Daniel Goroff of Harvard Jennifer Chayes, and University. Dr. Peter Goddard, PCMI receives major funding from the National Sci- on a visit to Medina, ence Foundation and additional funding from the fol- Washington lowing foundations and individuals: the Starr Founda- tion, State of New Jersey, National Security Agency, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, George S. and Delores Doré Eccles Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jaffin, Wolfensohn Family Foundation, and support from the University of Utah Department of Mathematics.

LINDA GERACI For further information see: http://www.admin.ias.edu/ma/.

6 PIECING THE PAST Former Member in the School of Historical Studies, Stephen V. Tracy is a Specialist in Greek Epigraphy

pigraphist Stephen V. Tracy, who first accurately even very small samples of a cutter’s writing.” E.came to the Institute for Advanced “The reliability of Tracy’s method has been proven by its results,” comments Pro- Study as a Member in the School of His- fessor Habicht, who notes that Tracy “has demonstrated hundreds of material joints torical Studies in 1987–88, has made the between pieces that had previously not been identified as belonging to one and the study of Athenian letter cutters his spe- same document...Each join is fresh proof of the validity of the method, and these cial field of research. Through repeated results have therefore convinced experts in the field all over the world.” and painstaking examination involving Stephen Tracy’s work has resulted in advances in determining the chronology of thousands of inscriptions and meticulous ancient events, the precise dating of military campaigns, and even in distinguishing measurement, he has developed the abil- ancient historical figures of the same name. He was, for example, able to distinguish ity to distinguish the individual hands of the scholarly Demetrios of Phaleron, a leading political figure of late fourth century some 100 stonecutters from the fifth to B.C.E. Athens, from Demetrios the military general and grandson of the former. the first century B.C.E. These highly For historians, inscriptions provide an invaluable resource. Information thus skilled artisans worked with hammer and gleaned helps define personalities in the ancient world. We learn, for example, that chisel on marble and stone. They the Athenian dramatist Sophocles was also treasurer of the Athenian empire, as inscribed matters of state, copying laws recorded in treasury accounts inscribed on the Acropolis, dating to the second half of and decrees of the Athenian Council and the fifth century B.C.E. As Dr. Tracy puts it, “the study of hands provides a new means Assembly for public display. They cut to date more precisely-inscribed texts from antiquity and thus to achieve a better Stephen V.Tracy on the south slope of the Acropolis texts at high speed in very small capital understanding of the precious evidence they furnish us.” letters, with no spaces between words or Stephen Tracy received his A.B. from Brown University in 1963, and his M.A. and sentences. They were extremely efficient and, it is thought, may have accompanied Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1965 and 1968, respectively. At Harvard, he was a dignitaries on their travels throughout the Mediterranean. Dr. Tracy’s systematic student of Greek scholar and epigraphist Sterling Dow, himself a student of Harvard examination of their stylistic traits allows him to attribute even small fragments of an classical historian William Scott Ferguson. Professor Habicht, recognized as the lead- inscription to a particular “writer,” just as one might recognize the lettering style in a ing authority on the history of Athens from the time of Alexander the Great to the handwritten note from a relative. establishment of the Roman Empire, has described Dr. Tracy as “the legitimate heir of Since whole or nearly whole inscriptions are rare, it is important to piece fragments this great tradition and these two eminent figures.” together whenever possible. Being able to identify the unique “hand” of a mason In 1986, Tracy founded the Center for Epigraphical and Paleographical Studies at allows dispersed pieces to be reunited, and helps date inscriptions to within the life- State University and is now Director of the American School of Classical Stud- span of an individual stonecutter. In the course of his career, Tracy has studied thou- ies at Athens. He is a member of the Rough Cilicia Survey Project and serves on the sands of laws and decrees found in Attica as well as on the Athenian island of Delos Advisory Board overseeing publication of a third edition of Volume II of Inscriptiones or on the walls of the Athenian treasury in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. He is Graecae. His books include: Athens and Macedon: Attic Letter-Cutters of 300 to 229 able to ascribe to each cutter a portfolio of inscriptions, some comprising a few pieces, B.C. (Berkeley, 2003); Athenian Democracy in Transition: Attic Letter-Cutters of 340 to others amounting to some sixty or more pieces. 290 BC (Berkeley, 1995); Attic Letter-Cutters of 229 to 86 B.C. (Berkeley, 1990); The As a Member and subsequent frequent visitor to the Institute, Dr. Tracy has made Story of the Odyssey (Princeton, 1990); I.G. II2 2336: Contributors of First Fruits for use of the extensive collection of “squeezes” in the School of Historical Studies’ Epi- the Pythaïs (Meisenheim, 1982); The Lettering of an Athenian Mason (Princeton, graphical Library. “It was and is the best place—and at some periods the only place— 1975); and, with John Bodel, Greek and Latin Inscriptions in the USA: A Checklist for me to work. I can go through thousands of squeezes in a day there, whereas to see (Rome, 1997). that many stones in the museums here in Athens, to physically move them about so as For further information on Stephen Tracy’s work, see his article, “Dating Athenian to view the lettering in the best lighting conditions, would require months of work,” Inscriptions: A New Approach,” in the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Soci- he says. In expressing his gratitude to the Institute, ety, Vol. 144, No. 1, March 2000, which can be found online at http://www.aps- and the particular support of Professors Christian pub.com/proceedings/mar00/Tracy.pdf. Habicht and Glen Bowersock in the School of His- torical Studies, Dr. Tracy recalls “very happy times there pursuing my work on hands and basking in the What is a Squeeze? academic ambience of the Institute. The squeeze col- lection at IAS is very complete for Attica.” In the “squeeze” is a copy of an inscription made by pressing damp paper over preface to his most recent book, Athens and Macedon: A the lettering. The technique is used by scholars studying inscriptions writ- Attic Letter-Cutters of 300 to 229 B.C. (Berkeley ten in ancient times on stone tablets. Prepared in the field or in museums, 2003), Dr. Tracy states, “Indeed, without the generous squeezes provide a physical rendering of an inscription that can be removed and support of the School of Historical Studies at the examined elsewhere. According to Professor Christian Habicht, the technique Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the was much used in the 19th century and can already be found in the 16th cen- magnificent squeeze collection housed there, little tury. A committee working for the French Secretary of Education published rec- This fragment of an inscription could have been accomplished.” ommendations for their use in 1843, and they were used extensively by the (IG II 2 59) is part of a decree His studies have allowed Dr. Tracy to follow some French Academician Philippe Le Bas (1794–1860) in Asia Minor (1843), and from Athens of the very early of the unnamed stonecutters from Athens to Delphi by the German scholar Karl Richard Lepsius (1810–1884) in Egypt fourth century B.C.E. or to Athenian Delos and back to Attica. He has (1842–1845). been able to reconstruct the careers, some as long as The Institute for Advanced Study is home to some 25,000 such squeezes. A forty years or more, of individual masons and to date numerous documents with greater complete inventory of the Institute’s collection, prepared under the direction of accuracy than before. Professor Habicht, is now on CD-ROM. Squeezes originally from the IAS col- Until Dr. Tracy’s first formal paper on the subject in 1970, “Identifying Epigraphi- lection, such as those shown here, can be viewed online with others in the Ohio cal Hands” in Greek, Roman and Byzantine Studies, “the study of lettering had been State University collection on the website of done haphazardly, in a casual and amateurish way,” says Professor Habicht. “Today, the the Center for Epigraphical and Paleograph- skill of recognizing hands of individual cutters is still Tracy’s exclusive possession. It ical Studies: http://omega.cohums.ohio- has made him the undisputed and unrivaled expert in this field, to the same degree state.edu/epigraphy/. that Sir John Beazley was the expert for Athenian vase painters.” While Dr. Tracy’s “new method” has met with some skepticism—even he admits to This inscription (IG II 2 101) honors King of the wondering sometimes whether he might be “dreaming it all”—it has proved effective. Molossi, Alketas the Syracusan, so called because he Often, after Dr. Tracy has identified two fragments of an inscription to the same hand, was exiled to Sicily and adopted into a Syracusan aris- the fragments have been shown to fit together as parts of the same inscription. Liken- tocratic family. Later restored to his throne, he assisted ing this aspect of his work to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, Tracy says “The study of an Athenian force sent to Corfu and was honored in individual hands thus provides a very powerful tool for dating fragments, and even in Athens during the winter of 373/2 B.C.E. It is thought that the horse relief refers to a victory he won in an some cases for putting them back together. This is the primary reason for doing it. It equestrian competition while in Athens. also aids us greatly in dealing with the small fragments that so often face us, which are so very difficult to study, for, once one has learned a hand, it is possible to recognize

7 published in 2004 by is a collection of essays edited by Helen Nis- Academy & the Internet, NSTITUTE Academy & the Internet Academy & the Internet I . It appears on the cover of L E T T E R L E T THE Mapping the Web Infome Mapping the Web The essays explore the impact of the Internet on scholarly research in the social sciences and other fields and School of Social Science Members Joan The editors cite the contributions of workshop participants This computer-generated image by artist Kazunori Takahashi was created for the experimental internet art image by artist Kazunori Takahashi This computer-generated project senbaum of and Monroe E. Price of Yeshiva University. Both editors were Members University. University and Monroe E. Price of Yeshiva senbaum of New York in the School of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study in 2000–01. The collection was devel- oped as a work in progress during the summer workshop held by the School of Social Science in 2001 as and Society. part of its program in Information Technology aesthetics, politics, economics and pub- computer ethics, cyberlaw, and address topics in history, of inquiry, Contributing authors offer critical perspectives on the effects of the Internet on their particular lic policy. fields of inquiry. and Michele White, among Streeter, Morse,Fujimura, Manuel DeLanda, James Der Derian, Margaret Tom Geertz, UPS Foundation Pro- Emeritus Clifford others; as well as School of Social Science Faculty: Professor of the program. Scott, for their support Linder Professor Joan Wallach and Harold F. fessor Michael Walzer, Associate Pro- Visiting was directed by Adam Ashforth, and Society program The Information Technology The John D. by The Rockefeller Foundation, fessor in the School of Social Science, and was funded in part Foundation, and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. MacArthur Foundation, The Ford and Catherine T. Peter Lang Publishing Inc., New York. Peter Lang Publishing Inc., New York.

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