BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA 



bacteria that can undoubtedly be found on the shoes of the petitioners. 

 It is clear that such microbiologists are more in need of a thorough 

 training in their discipline than of a pure culture of the bacterium they 

 ask for.' 



In Kluyver's scientific approach the 'red thread' of Beijerinck's 

 work remained clearly discernable. In later years an unexpected ob- 

 servation often elicited the remark: 'Let's see what Beijerinck has to 

 say about it', and it usually turned out that the latter had already recor- 

 ded the phenomenon. Kluyver's deep appreciation of Beijerinck's work 

 will be apparent to anyone who peruses his contribution to the exten- 

 sive Beijerinck biography [1940] under the title, 'Beijerinck, the Micro- 

 biologist'. 



A final indication of the considerable change that was accomplished 

 during the single year in the guidance of the work and in the atmos- 

 phere of the laboratory has its spatial origin outside the institute, 

 though it resulted in the development of a strong inner solidarity. It 

 was the influence of the professor's domicile, an influence that initially 

 manifested itself but timidly. 



This house, that Beijerinck had occupied with his sisters, was built 

 under the same roof as the laboratory, and could be reached via the 

 study. It now grew into the beloved home, where the Kluyver family 

 more and more shared the cares of the laboratory, and whose hospital- 

 ity for associates and visitors was equalled only by the readiness to 

 listen and the open-mindedness that every one encountered in his 

 contacts with the professor. 



INSPIRATION 



1923-1927 



The biographer of these early years has a comparatively easy task 

 in so far as his thoughts scarcely need to wander outside the walls of the 

 institute at the Nieuwelaan. For the events that became the founda- 

 tion for the later years all took place inside it. 



The laboratory and adjoining living quarters dated back to 1895, 

 when the chair for Beijerinck was created. Built in the neo-gothic 

 style of the period, with tall, narrow windows, it had been expanded, 

 in 191 1, by the addition of a wing that was, to be sure, better lighted, 



18 



