Oral history of British science
Perutz, Max (Part 8 of 19). National Life Stories Collection: General
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Type
sound
Duration
00:26:45
Shelf mark
C464/22
Subjects
Molecular Biology
Recording date
2001-06-30, 2001-08-18, 2001-09-15, 2001-10-06, 2001-10-27, 2001-11-29, 2001-12-08
Recording locations
Interviewee's home, Cambridge, UK
Interviewees
Perutz, Max, 1914-2001 (speaker, male)
Interviewers
Thompson, Katherine, (speaker, female)
Abstract
Part 8: After Munich MP's brother and sister went to U.S.A., MP decided to stay in Cambridge. Parents went to Zurich. He tried to get parents to England but needed £1000 for guarantee. He sold mother's ring and borrowed the rest. Some more about his time in Switzerland where he was joined by mother - the last time he saw her happy. With Bernal leaving the Lab Bragg - who solved structure of common salt - arrived - more about Bragg. MP showed Bragg his X-ray refraction picture of haemoglobin - Bragg very enthusiastic and tried to get grant for MP - applied to Rockefeller Foundation in N.Y. and they gave him research assistant's grant of £275.00 per annum which enabled him to give guarantee for his parents who came to Cambridge in March 1939. He tells story of finding accommodation for them and reason why they did not buy house. MP could continue his work for his Ph.D with Bragg - it took 3 and a half years, got it in March 1940. His internment as enemy alian happened inbetween. His Ph.D. was on X-ray study of haemoglobin, he explains his work and the developing of his methods. MP was not wanted for war work and Bragg also stayed on in Lab. German refugee - Paul Ewald - joined, became great friend. More about Ewald, his work and his family which became a home for MP.Ewald organised seminars and encouraged MP to give his first seminar. After invasion on France, French crystallographer - Adrienne Weil - joined the Lab.
Description
Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist and author Max Perutz is interviewed about his life and work. Mentor to James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA, Perutz died before this interview could be completed.
Related links
Visit this interviewee's page on the 'Voices of Science' web resource
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