Robert Lesh Baldwin : An Oral History
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Robert Lesh “Buzz” Baldwin is a professor of biochemistry emeritus at Stanford University. In this oral history, he covers his childhood in Wisconsin; the work of his father, Ira L. Baldwin, for the US government during World War II; and his experiences as a student and professor. Topics covered include his chemistry studies, post-doctorate work, ultracentrifuge experiments, and interest in the mechanisms of protein-folding. An important figure in the field of genetics, Baldwin recounts the early days of the Stanford Department of Biochemistry and the leadership of Arthur Kornberg, as well as his interactions with other notable scientists at the university and beyond. Baldwin and his wife, Anne, also discuss housing, Stanford’s research environment, and their retirement.
- Summary
- Childhood and family in Madison, Wisconsin • Parents’ approach to teaching children • Three generations of gardeners (grandfather, father, son) • Father accepting invitation to direct U.S. biological warfare laboratories during WWII • Codebreaking for the Army in WWII • Contracting tuberculosis from monkeys at the zoo • University of Wisconsin education • Father’s WWI experiences and his service on committee under Vannevar Bush organizing scientists for the war effort during WWII • Father’s work at Camp Detrick on biological warfare and the family’s experiences • Early interest in physical chemistry and problem solving • Svedberg analytical centrifuge • Measuring the sedimentation coefficients of small molecules • Rhodes Scholarship and Oxford’s approach to training PhD students v. using research groups • Influence of Dr. A. G. Ogston at Oxford • Learning about protein folding at Linderstrom-Lang’s laboratory • Friendship with John Schellman • Formation of the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford under Arthur Kornberg • Solving problems in genetics at Stanford • New role at Stanford as the biophysicist with expertise on the analytical ultracentrifuge to study DNA • Setting up graduate courses under Arthur Kornberg’s leadership • Impact of graduates of Stanford’s genetics program • Kornberg DNA polymerase and the DNA clubs • Importance of purification in molecular biology research • Use of computers v. use of his photographic memory • Relationships with other departments at Stanford • Input from Anne Baldwin (his wife) on relationships with other departments and housing • Sabbatical at Monod-Jacob laboratory in Paris to study genetics • Discussion of allosteric enzymes, Jacques Monod approach and physical chemistry • Friendships with Jacques Monod, Manfred Eigen, Francis Crick • Conversation with Anne Baldwin about how they met and their life together • Contributions in protein folding research • Research in unfolding process by Arlene Blum • Arlene Blum's efforts regarding the elimination of carcinogens (Green Science Policy Institute) • Cyrus Levinthal and Levinthal's paradox and molecular biology • Walter Englander and foldon mechanism • Experimental evidence of protein-folding and metabolic pathways • Changes at Stanford and the modernization of the Medical School • Formation of Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry with Joshua Lederberg and Arthur Kornberg • Changes in the way research is done in medical schools • Dave Hogness and the Department of Developmental Biology with Lucy Shapiro as chair • Visitors to his lab, such as Eric Shooter (brain proteins) • Experiences serving as department chair • Vietnam War and Stanford President Kenneth Pitzer • Work with Ross Inman and newly synthesized DNA strands • Seminar at Institute of Genetics at Cologne • Retirement
Description
Type of resource | sound recording-nonmusical, text, still image |
---|---|
Extent | 1 audio file; 1 text file; 1 photograph |
Place | Stanford (Calif.) |
Publisher | Stanford Historical Society |
Date created | July 11, 2018 |
Language | English |
Digital origin | born digital |
Creators/Contributors
Interviewee | Baldwin, Robert L. (Robert Lesh), 1927- | |
---|---|---|
Creator | Baldwin, Robert L. (Robert Lesh), 1927- | |
Interviewer | Marine-Street, Natalie J. | |
Publisher | Stanford Historical Society |
Subjects
Subject | Baldwin, Robert L. (Robert Lesh), 1927- |
---|---|
Subject | Biochemistry |
Subject | Stanford University. Department of Biochemistry |
Subject | Molecular biology |
Genre | Interview |
Bibliographic information
Biographical Profile |
Robert L. “Buzz” Baldwin is professor of biochemistry, emeritus at Stanford University School of Medicine. He was born on September 30, 1927 in Madison, Wisconsin. He married Anne T. Norris in 1965 and they have two children: David Norris Baldwin and Eric Lawrence Baldwin.
|
---|---|
Transcript |
|
Finding Aid | |
Location | https://purl.stanford.edu/jt301jr3586 |
Location | SC0932 |
Repository | Stanford University. Libraries. Department of Special Collections and University Archives |
Access conditions
- Use and reproduction
- Digital recordings from this collection may be accessed freely. These files may not be reproduced or used for any purpose without permission. For permission requests, please contact Stanford University Department of Special Collections & University Archives (speccoll@stanford.edu).
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2013 The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. All rights reserved.
Collection
Stanford Historical Society Oral History Program interviews, 1999-2022
View other items in this collection in SearchWorksAlso listed in
Loading usage metrics...