Part 1 - The Institute Libraries - Institute for Advanced Study

CHAfTER I11
PLAPriING TEE ESTITUTE FOR ADVANCED m Y
The sober conditions of the opportunities and the limitatfons
in his position were quite clear to Dr. Flexner as he reviewed the hap
penings of 1930 and faced the task of outlining the unique institution
described in the organiutlon documnts. He knew now that Mr. Bamberger,
seriously disturbed by the econumic conditions of the period, was con-
cerned now not with taking czre a£ a contingency should a physical
disaster strike him end Mrs. Fuld, but instead with limiting their eon-
tributions to the new Institute to just what would suffice for it.
The Director knew that $5 million was a small initial endaw-
merit for the thing he wanted to do. For only a dramtic success in t k
opening moves woulG,irpress the lay and academic public, and hence the
Founders. And sfnce it was well known by those familiar with philan-
thrapists that instftutions namd after their founders rarely ettrzeted
gifts from others, the need was resy great for- such an iqressfve ah- - ing. If little could be accomplished with $5 million, and much mre
would be needed, Flexner was quite aware that it would hsve to c e fra~
Mr. Bamberger and his sister, although he was to try to raise outside
money for several purposes, but with surprisingly little effect, as
will appear.
Another fact stood out clearly: the Founders were determined
to share with Newark any glory or benefits which might deffve from the
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enterprise. The Dfrector had studied carefully this questioa Q< leca-
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