March 6, 1931

Mr. E. C. Barrett, Secretary,

California Institute of Technology,

Pasadena, California

Dear Mr. Barrett:

I have asked Dr. Kellogg to have sent to you in quarterly installments beginning July 1, 1931, the sum of $1000 granted me by the National Research Council. Would you please pay this to Dr. J. H. Sturdivant in twelve equal monthly payments, the first on July 31, 1931?

Yours truly,

Linus Pauling

LP:M

[Letterhead]

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena

Gates Chemical Laboratory

[Letter]

Sunday at 3

Dearest Sweetheart:

Did you sleep well last night? I hope you remember not to lift Peter any more than necessary, now that your mother has come. Did Dicky come too? I expect not. I went to bed at 9, slept all night, and got up at 7, eating breakfast at the Faculty Club. Before going to bed I made some calculations on the structure of benzene. This morning I prepared my lecture for tomorrow, and began planning topics for later lectures. Then I went to the drugstore for some shaving soap and mentholatium, had lunch at a restaurant, and bought Time + Pelican + Life, which I have been reading since. Enclosed are some jokes.

I haven't seen anyone yet. I left word for Medlin [?], who is applying for an assistantship, to call me. I am going now to call on the Latimers + Olsons.

It has been cold and foggy today, and I changed to my tweed suit., The sun is now beginning to shine though.

I have found that leaving Pasadena enables me to collect my thoughts about my work and to concentrate in a way that has been impossible there, where there was always students to talk to and think about, and many different problems to attract my attention. I think that we should always leave Pasadena when I want to write a book, in order to avoid these distractions.

I love you more and more each year and day, darling, and I am excited about your coming here. Give Linus and Peter kisses from me, and take lots for yourself.

Your own,

Linus

[One of a bundle of letters]

[Letterhead:]

FACULTY CLUB

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

[LP writes;]

Noon, March 23^rd, 1931

Dearest Sweetheart:

I arrived safely, and came to the club, then talked with Zener, who is going to Pasadena tonight. Then I talked a long time with Bill Giaque, asking him to arrange a wild party for me. G.N. said that it wouldn't be too wild if Giaque arranges it. I've only seen him for a minute, at lunch. I've seen Eastman (who has a Guggenhein F. for next year), Olson, Latimer so far. Latimers will have a baby in a few weeks. I'm going to Olson's for dinner tomorrow night. It is fun to be here, but I miss you, darling, and Linus and Jeff. It is nice that you are coming up next year. My room costs $25: it isn't nearly so nice as Jamie's at the Atheneum. I love you bushels, darling girl, and shall write you again.

Linus.

[One of a bundle of letters. Date determined from the dates of two surrounding letters, events in the letters and the perpetual calendar]

[Letterhead:]

FACULTY CLUB

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

[Letter:]

Monday, 5 ²⁰ PM

Dearest Sweetheart:

I love you, darling, and am hoping that this two-weeks period will pass rapidly. I hope we won't have to be separated again. We must arrange things so that you can always come with me. did you sleep well? I went to bed early - 8 ³⁰ - with an extra blanket, and slept very well, till 6 ³⁰ . I think before on the train I've been too cold. Then this morning I had breakfast on the train, came to the club and took a shower, put on clean clothes and my red necktie, and prepared my lecture. Before the lecture I talked with Lewis a little. The lecture itself was well received. After lunch I talked with Lawrence about getting married. He is worried - he says he thinks that chance is 50-50 that you are less happy after marriage. After talking to me he'll probably be married this spring. Then I talked to Eastman till 2 ³⁰ about where to go in Europe and what to do, and then, to the German Stuart until 4. He is doing

[page 2]

very interesting work. Then I went to Kramers' lecture, and have just come from there. I haven't much news except that the Latimer girl was born Friday at 1, just when he and I were talking about it. Lewis announced that tomorrow at seminar he would say something about the chemical bond. I wonder if I'll have to say something back. Stuart invited me to dinner Wednesday. He is very happy to find someone who likes Germany. He is worried because Americans report unpleasantness about Fran Debye.

I love you, my darling girl, and Linus and little Jeff, and I'll be glad to be with you permanently again. I love seeing you and loving you, and having such good dinners with you - but most of all just being near you. Your own

Linus

[One of a bundle of letters. Date determined from the dates of two surrounding letters, events in the letters and the perpetual calendar]

[Letterhead:]

FACULTY CLUB

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

10 AM March 24.

Dearest girl:

How are you feeling? I suppose you are just milking the baby now. It was raining this morning, and with no Peter or Ava Helen around I didn't waken till 9 o'clock, and haven't eaten breakfast. I'll surely be glad to see you again. I love you with all my heart.

Yesterday I went to see Rich after lunch. He has a very nice room - rather suite, for he has a bedroom + shares a study with another boy. He seems quite enthusiastic about his work here. Aunt Lucile is still on the ranch. She is sick now with something. I met Clyde, the blind boy, who doesn't look blind nor act blind very much, as Richie [?] said. Rich asked me to dinner with him tomorrow night. He seems to want to arrange some dates for me too!

Latimer has a beard. He asked Gibson + Eastman + me in to have some wine yesterday before Kramer's lecture at 4. I hear that Kramers has a nice wife. They will come to Pasadena for a week about the time I return. I have talked with several people about their work. Last night I went to a physics seminar, with

[page two]

Kramers talking. Lawrence, Robert, Bulge, [?] Jenkins, etc were there. Robert is very pleasant. He seems in good spirits - his hair is still long. Then I talked to Lawrence and Kramers and a biophysicist named Melke or something, and then went to bed. I saw GN and had a little scientific talk with him, but haven't yet told him that Jeff turned over. That is about all I've done. I'm thinking over my lecture for tomorrow. I think everyone will be interested in my work - Giaque was quite excited with some of the things I told him. I haven't seen Brode yet. Harvey Hall was at the seminar. He has just been sentenced to five days in jail for speeding, but he may get a reprieve.

Give my love to Linus and Grandma, and little Jeff too, of course, and remember, Darling, that I love you more than anything in the whole world. Your

Linus

[One of a bundle of letters. Date determined from the dates of two surrounding letters, events in the letters and the perpetual calendar]

[Letterhead:]

FACULTY CLUB

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

[Linus writes;]

Wed. 2 ³⁰

Dearest Ava Helen:

I was tickled pink to get your letter yesterday. Are you over being lonesome now? I'm having a hard time getting used to being away from my own darling girl. Yesterday I had dinner with the Olson's. They have a beautiful big house way up on the top of the hills - two stories, three baths, study, etc. Robert + Dr + Mr Stuart (from Königsberg) were there. Then I came home, read a little, and went to bed. This morning I prepared my lecture + then gave it. Everybody seemed much interested. I had lunch here at the club with La Mer, Gibson, and Kramers.

[page 2]

Tolman is down here. Brode I haven't seem yet - he is staying at home on pins + needles to take his wife to the hospital when she's ready. I got a book from the library this afternoon - Freud's "Gesammelte Schriften" Vol. V, and bought a Pelican. Here's a story - William, the perfect butler, was pouring the champagne. He passed Mrs. Tidwinking [?] who said "You didn't fill my glass, William"; he said "But Madam, I thought you were president of the WCTU!" She said "Why no, I'm president of the Purity League". William answered "Oh, yes, I knew there was something you didn't do."

I'm going to use Hildebrand's office. I have a copy of Time. This morning I told GN that Jeff was a very smart boy, and turned over just in time. Have you heard that Fowler's wife is dead - I understand in child birth. I received a letter form Rodelursh [?] saying that the things I criticized in his chapter were due to T Jeff Webb.

Today Burge [?] gave me a letter (from

[page 3]

him) about some formulas in our book + in Ruark + Urey; he has found R + U's are wrong. I asked him if it was necessary for me to reply by letter! Yesterday in his lecture Kramers said "--so-and-so obtained this result in a chemi - - - in an intuitive manner." Today I said "Bartlett carried out this work in a characteristically physi - that is, he has based a long mathematical discussion on some assumptions that probably are never realized in nature."

Everything is OK by me, except that I'm always restless because I want to come home to see you. Love to Linus + Jeff.

Your own paddy

Linus

[Letter with no date but LP has marked in envelope as 1931]

Thursday 7 pm

Dear darling:

Your sweet letter came this afternoon. You are keeping busy aren't you? I keep busy. Jeff is 24 inches long: his head is 16 inches and I haven't measured his shoulders.. He is a fine, dear boy who seems to like his Mamma.

Mary and Ilene called this afternoon. I can't understand Mary. I try and try. She says the meanest things and with no reason--rather pointless sarcasm. Perhaps I'm hostile and inspire her. I don't know.

Linus is really trying. He hasn't had his lunch at school this whole week. Moreover, he goes off without telling me. This afternoon to Nancy Martels. I think he will be better. I hate being a tyrant.

You dear boy! I'm menstruating. This makes me provoked and also weary. I don't know why I should be doing this--probably because you're not very nice to me.

[page 2]

Dear Daddy:

I threw you a kiss when you left and then when you left just before I saw the end of the train I started to wave to you but I didn't know you were so far away from me. Daddy, I am going to give you a surprise when you come back. I am going to give you an Easter egg when you come back. I am going to be nice when you come back. (I hope so!) I am going to love you. My Easter basket is beautiful. Dear Daddy, I am going to love you. I love you very much. Dear Daddy! Love and kisses and hugs, Linus Pauling.

I haven't done or read or seen anything exciting. I'll be glad when you are here again. Miss Clark said Linus had made the best Apron. He had to sew it. I feel weary although I haven't done anything. Well, I'm going to stop. This letter is getting too terrible.

Goodnight dear Linus.

Your girl.

P.S. Linus asked Grandma if she had anything to say. She says she hopes you are having a nice time: that you must soon come home; and that we miss you terribly.

Love & kisses

[One of a bundle of letters. Date determined from the dates of two surrounding letters, events in the letters and the perpetual calendar]

[Letterhead:]

Faculty Club

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Thursday, 1 PM

Dearest Sweetheart:

I'm sorry to hear that you are being so bad to Linus. If you and he can't get along I'll have to come right back to Pasadena. Tell Jeff I think of him often (but not half so often as of you) and that he must take good care of his lovely mamma-in order to insure a satisfactory milk supply.

Yesterday evening, after buying three pairs of socks and a new red tie, I went with Rich to his house, and had a nice dinner and met a couple of good looking young fellows. Then we went to see Aunt Beth. She looks just the same as ever. The boys are bigger and still lively. Danny looks to me as though he had adenoids. [?] is not changed at all. We stayed till 9 ³⁰ and are going back Sunday. We drove in a car lent to Rich by a girl friend named Partia. She is a Jewess + not good-looking like Sylvia. She is about 22 and a graduate student in social science or something. She lives with

[page 2]

his mother (also a Jewess etc) who works for the Assoc. Charities or something. I bought a box of candy which Rich gave them when we took the car back (Patria wasn't home yet from a date, so we left the box with the mother). Unless Rich can find something better he won't be able to get me into trouble. On coming home I read a while + then slept till 10. Then I went to Kramer's lecture + had lunch at the club with Kramers, Lawrence, and Gibson, and afterwards talked with Latimer about his clever idea on nuclear structure (which Oscar Rice Claims is his!). Brade + Mrs B. Are still on tenter hooks. I told Robert + B. when I saw him last [?] mg yesterday afternoon to give her castor oval [?]. Everyone is much interested in the coming event. Next year you must come up, even if we have to put the children in cold storage.

Yours Paddy

[One of a bundle of letters. Date determined from the dates of two surrounding letters, events in the letters and the perpetual calendar]

[Letterhead:]

Faculty Club

university of california

Thursday, 5 PM

Dearest Ava Helen:

I was tickled pink to find two letters from you on getting back... I love you with all my heart, darling, and I'm getting so excited about seeing you that I don't know what to do. I'm not able to do a bit of work — I just fool around, doing first one thing and then another, all the time.

I went to Stanford on the train, and gave one lecture at 4 and one at 8, with a dinner in between. Everyone said the lectures were good. Maury and Dorothy and Webster send you their greetings. I stayed over night at Maury's, and had breakfast and lunch with them. In the Stanford paper it said I was "one of the youngest and most prominent physical chemists;"

[page 2:]

wouldn't you call Jeff one of the youngest?

Two days ago Mrs. Franklin died, after a cancer operation. The funeral was held yesterday. Maury said Franklin wanted to see me, so I went over this morning, and told him how sorry I felt for him. He said he was glad to see someone who made a success of his work and was at the same time a regular gye [sic]. Then he told me about the book he is writing and asked my advice about some questions, and then took me over to Maury's. I came back on the bus, and bought my tickets to Glendale. I'm very anxious to see you + make love to you. One the bus there was a man who had had his gall bladder removed just two weeks ago, at the veteran's

[page 3:]

hospital. He had an eye for all the girls — he told the bus driver that he liked them very short and very plump. He is a "fancy spotter" in a dry cleaners, specializing on silks. He would say as we passed through a town "There are two cleaners in this town," or "I worked there for six months," etc. Apparently he saw no scenery but the cleaners.

I love you very much. I'm going to dinner at Bray's tonight. I send [sic] some red roses

[page 4:]

to Bernice Brode, and she wrote a note back.

I love you, darling, and will see you Saturday.

Your own

Paddy