Recommendation Letter Viral: See Why John Nash May Have The Best Rec Letter Ever Written [Photo]
At some point, everyone desires to have a glowing recommendation letter from someone who thinks highly of them. Documentation of an individual’s qualities and capabilities always serves as a superb form of edification for academic and/or employment opportunities. However, there’s one viral recommendation letter that doesn’t include any of the stationary information commonly referenced in rec letters. Apparently, mathematician John Forbes Nash’s talents didn’t need much advocation.
On June 4, Princeton University shared a photo of Nash’s graduate recommendation letter on Facebook. The letter, written by highly lauded mathematician Richard J. Duffin, highlights the magnitude of Nash’s intelligence in just three sentences. According to the Indian Express, the 1948 letter was submitted to Princeton when Nash was applying to attend graduate school at the notable Ivy League research university.
Nash, whose life was documented in the biographical drama film A Beautiful Mind, is widely known for his academic work which covered an array of studies on game theories, mathematics, economics, computing, military theory, evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Although the world now knows the extent of his studies, the brilliant mathematician, who battled with paranoid schizophrenia, had made quite a name for himself long before his theoretical contributions.
In honor of Nash, the university shared the letter and this description:
“One recommendation called the young John Nash “a mathematical genius.” Another noted that “the institution that secures him as a graduate student will be fortunate indeed.” Indeed we were! See why in Dr. Nash’s academic record.”
Surprisingly, thousands of Facebook users found the letter quite interesting and it didn’t take long for it to become a viral hit on the social media network. Many Facebook users agree the letter is probably the shortest recommendation written, reports New York Daily News. However, it may actually be one of the best ever written — admirably clear and concise.
The viral photo comes just two weeks after Nash’s death at the age of 82. According to New York Daily News, Nash and his wife died in a car accident on the New Jersey turnpike. The couple had just returned to the United States from Norway, where they attended an awards ceremony where Nash was honored with the Abel Prize by the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters. They were en route to their home in Princeton, NY, when the accident took place.
[Image via Facebook; China Photos/Getty Images]
