A History of the Institute for Advanced Study - 1930-1950

Sep 10, 2026

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A historical narrative covering the first twenty years of the Institute for Advanced Study from 1930 to 1950. The introduction explains the approach of using documentary records and interviews from 1955 to 1957 to clarify issues previously obscured or contested. The work also highlights how the history could support administering the Institute and adapting its direction to changing social needs. It traces key institutional developments through successive chapters devoted to planning, academic schools, leadership transitions, and consolidation, supported by referenced notes and appended materials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages374

Reading Time15 h 42 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Chapter I: The Prehistory of the Institute for Advanced Study

Chapter II: The Louis Amp?erger and Mrs. Felix Fuld Foundation

Chapter III: Planning the Institute for Advanced Study

Chapter IV: The School of Mathematics

Chapter V: The School of Economics and Politics

Chapter VI: The School of Humanistic Studies

Chapter VII: Too Many Generals

Chapter VIII: Dr. Flex?er Retires

Chapter IX: A Period for Consolidation

Chapter X: The Struggle for Power

Chapter XI: The Selection of a Successor Director

Chapter XII: Dr. Oppenheimer's First Years as Director

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Appendix IV

Appendix V

Appendix VI

Appendix VII

▲ HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY1930-1950 A HISTORY OFTHE INSTITUTE FOR ALVANCED STUDY 1930-1950 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………iii CHAPTER I THE PREHISTORY OF TPE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY………………………1 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………40 CHAPTER II THE LOUIS AMPERGER AND MRS. FELIX FULD FOUNDATION…………………4 NOTES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………73 CHAPTER IIT PLANNING THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY…………………………………………78 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………118 CHAPTER IV THE SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS ……………………………………………………………………………121 NOTES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………188 CHAPTER V THE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICS……………………………………………………197 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………255 CIAPTER VI THE SCHOOL OF HUMANISTIC STUDIES…………………………………………………………………………260 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………301 CHAPTER VII TOO MANY GENERAIS ………………………………………………………………………………………305 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………360 CHAPTER VIII DR. FIEOXSER RETIRES.∵∵∵:∵∵∵∵∵∵…………………:366 CHAPTER IX A PERIOD FOR CONSOLIDATION…………………………………………………………………………………………452 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………520 CHAPTER X THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER…………………………………………………………………………………528 NOTES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………580 CHAPTER XI THE SELECTION U: A SUCCESSOR DIRECTOR ……………………………………………………589 NOTES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………623 CHAPTER XII DR. OPPENHEIIER'S FIRST YEARS AS DIRECTOR ……………………………………………629 NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………709 APPENDIX I……………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………716 APPENDIX II ………………………………………………………………………………721 APPENDIX III……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………724 APPENDIX IV……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………726 APPENDIX V…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………729 APPENDIX VI ………… ………………………………………………………………………………………733 APPENDIX VII ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………757 # — INTRODUCTION It is safe to say that in providing for the research andwriting of a history of the firs:twenty years of the Institute forAdvanced Study the Director and the Trustees contemplated a synoptic 2.ccount whose length would more closely paralle1 the brevity of thatperiod in the long life hopefu1ly anticipated fcr the institution.There will probaly be disappointment in the length of the narrativewhich iollows. However,as the limited documentary materials were weighedwith the numerous interviews undertaken in 1955-1957,and with theoccasional published remarks on phases of the Institute's developnent,it became obvious to the author that the documents and correspondencemust be allowed to tell the story,and to establish the facts as tosome of the issues which have been heretofore enveloped in mystery orconfused in conflict.Inevitably this meant a long record. Hopefu1lythe length may be forgiven in view of the authority with which thedocuments speak。 With the method established,it became clear that the historywould have its best use as an aid in administering the Institute,andin adapting its course to the "changing social needs and conditions"which the Founders contemplated as possihly requiring modification ofthe principles to which they subscribed.Moreover,the history may beused as the background for a synoptic story of the Institute which maybe published. In many critical passes,documentary information was notavailable in the Institute's files,or in its minutes.This was partly -iv- due to the fact that since the niair.actors lived within close range ofeach other,they came to some important decisisns ir personal conversa-tions.One must conclude that Dr.Flexner avoided recording officiallydecisions reached n this way(such as those taken on salary scales andret

FAQs

What time period does the history cover?

The narrative covers the first twenty years of the Institute for Advanced Study, specifically from 1930 to 1950.

What research method does the introduction describe?

It explains that limited documentary materials were balanced with numerous interviews conducted in 1955–1957 and with occasional published remarks, so documents and correspondence could tell the story and establish facts.

Why did some important decisions remain unclear in the documentary record?

The text notes that some decisions were made in personal conversations among people living close together, and it suggests that certain decisions were not recorded officially.

Sep 10, 2026

Upload by Jacob