7107 - Oak Ridge: Joseph H. Rush Typed Letter Signed - "Most of us who worked on the atomic project are not great men and women; we just happened to be working on a great job"

Oak Ridge: Joseph H. Rush Typed Letter Signed - "Most of us who worked on the atomic project are not great men and women; we just happened to be working on a great job" American physicist (1911-2006) who contributed to the Manhattan Project during World War II. After early work as a radio operator and academic positions in physics, he joined the Clinton Engineer Works at Oak Ridge in 1944, where he participated in the uranium enrichment effort central to the development of the atomic bomb. Following the war, Rush remained engaged in atomic policy, serving as secretary-treasurer of the Federation of American Scientists and advocating for civilian control of nuclear energy. TLS signed “J. H. Rush,” one page, 8.5 x 11, November 27, 1945. Addressed from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a letter to Ben Kohn of Boy Scout Troop No. 326, in full: “I hope you will excuse the delay in replying to your letter, which arrived in my absence. Your request for an autograph is most complimentary. I think, however, that as a Scout you will understand when I say that you would not want to mix pebbles with a collection of pearls. It is a part of Scout training to learn to see things as they are, and not to be too much impressed by glamor or publicity. What I want you to see is that most of us who worked on the atomic project are not great men and women; we just happened to be working on a great job, and I don’t think we should like to have our names listed as ‘great scientists’ any more than a hod-carrier would want to be called a great architect because he had worked on the Washington Cathedral. I thank you for your letter, and hope your troop will not have too much trouble in completing a list of outstanding leaders. Remember: more people will read a short list than a long one!” In fine condition, with a block of light toning to the upper right.