TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, The Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, December 2, 1957. Letter to Edward Linn, who was writing an article about Oppenheimer for the Saturday Evening Post, in response to a request for an interview. In full: “Thank you for sending me your manuscript. I have read it with interest, and with frequent admiration for your perceptiveness and freshness of view, as well, of course, as for your comprehensive study of the bulky record. In spite of this, there are some errors of fact which would be revealed by collation with the record: Bethe was not a member of the General Advisory Committee; the Medal for Merit was given to me in early 1946, not in early 1947. You will probably wish to check up on such things if your manuscript is to see the light of day.
Since the spring of 1954, I have not spoken to anyone of the matters covered by the hearings, or the various decisions. I have not elaborated my testimony, nor commented on that of others. I believe that this was a wise decision. In any case, those who have written about my affair—friend, foe, and neutral—have all done so without any communication with me or from me. I believe it best that I adhere to this decision. After reading your paper, it seems to me likely that your questions would fall in the area where I must be silent. If this is so, I should be distressed to have you make the trip here for no adequate purpose.”
In very good condition, with scattered moderate creasing and wrinkling, light but somewhat irregular overall toning, and a few small edge tears.
Oppenheimer was one of America's preeminent physicists and the recipient of the Medal for Merit, the highest honor the US government can bestow on a civilian, for his work as director of the Manhattan Project. In 1954, however, he became the focus of a a controversial four-week security hearing by the United States Atomic Energy Commission into his background, arising from long-standing doubts about his loyalty, and suspicions that he was a member of the Communist Party and a spy. Even though the panel found that Oppenheimer was unusually discreet with atomic secrets, they also concluded he was a security risk and revoked his top-secret security clearance. The hearing, which marked the end of his formal relationship with the federal government, was considered an expression of anti-Communist hysteria. Three years later, Oppenheimer here notes that despite a request to tell ‘his side of the story,’ the scientist steadfastly believes, “I must be silent.” Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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