3 The New York Years (1931–1953)

Personality and General Views 299
Fig.9.3. Ernst Mayr and German ornithologists at the 100th annual DO-G meeting in Bonn,
September 1988; from right to left:E.Mayr,G.Creutz,J.Haffer,J.Martens,H.Sick,S.Eck,
and W. Meise. (Photograph courtesy of H. Classen)
Mayr, who had not known him before, invited him to his table and helped him
to overcome his problems. They became close friends and from then on had their
walks together almost every afternoon. Mayr would point out flowers, trees and
birds, and on one occasion stated: “Nature provides the best entertainment in the
world. I wonder why not more people appreciate that.” Joe Lemon turned out to
be a great help after July 2003 when Mayr suffered a severe illness looking after
him daily (besides his daughter Susanne who lives in Bedford). He described Mayr
as democratic, social and easy going with rather strong political opinions, mostly
liberal. After supper they would read the New York Times in the reading room
for a little while and discuss issues of interest. Lemon also mentioned that Mayr,
driving his car (until 2003), always tried to “beat” the traffic, carefully timing his
trips to the museum. Later, Joe kindly drove Mayr to different places including
the MCZ and to The Farm on 5 July 2004 for the celebration of Ernst’s 100th
birthday. He was also present on 3 July 2005 for the scattering of Ernst’s ashes
(p. 306).
After the National Socialist (“Nazi”) regime hadbeeninpowerforonlyone
year Erwin Stresemann sent Mayr a highly perceptive letter about the nature and
dangers of the new government:
“The State no longer serves the well-being of the individual, but the duty of the
individual is to protect the State and to do what the leaders think is right. […]
The revolution means a catastrophe; and the overwhelming majority of scientists,
artists, industrialists, etc. are of the same opinion.[…] The socialists have never
been closer to the fulfillment of their maximes; the leveling makes tremendous