Memory
“I’ll Give You an Answer”
My first meeting with Henry Eyring occurred at Princeton University while I was a graduate student at Harvard. I had made a trip to Princeton to attend a seminar being given by one of my former teachers and was graciously invited to join some of the faculty and the speaker at dinner and discussion in the Graduate House after the seminar. I recall how impressed I was to be sitting at dinner between Dr. (later Sir) Hugh Taylor and Dr. Henry Eyring. I was fascinated with wit, charm, and scientific acumen of Dr. Eyring.
After dinner we sat about and discussed scientific questions, largely arising from the seminar. In the course of this discussion Henry made the comment, “Give me some paper and pencils and I’ll give you an answer to any question you pose. It may not mean anything much, it may even be wrong, but I’ll give you an answer.” I was greatly intrigued by this statement. To me it indicated Henry Eyring’s interest in all matters of science, his confidence, yet humbleness, in his own capability, and a delightful sense of humor which permitted him to poke fun at himself.