2 8 0 D O C U M E N T 2 8 3 O C T O B E R 1 9 2 8 3. According to the wishes of the founders of the Mathematische Annalen— Klein[6] would also agree with me (he saw through the completely harmful activi- ties of Brouwer earlier than all the rest of us)—I would like to keep Göttingen as the main base for the Mathematische Annalen.[7] A similar letter has been sent to the other two coeditors. With kind regards, D. Hilbert P.S. As I have heard, the state of your health in recent times has unfortunately not been very satisfactory. I most heartily wish you a complete recovery. I myself have been suffering for the past three years from a serious illness (ane- mia), and even though the deadly sting of this illness has been eliminated by an American discovery,[8] its symptoms have plagued me in recent times. I don’t know to what extent you are informed about Brouwer’s behavior during the international mathematics convention in Bologna it was appalling, and the worst of it is that even though most of the German mathematicians and all of the foreign ones, in particular his immediate professional colleagues in Holland, have recognized his goings-on for what they are, some few German mathematicians still support him.[9] I remain at your disposal with more details, optionally also with proofs, as you wish. H. 283. From Paul Plaut[1] Konstanzerstr. 4, Berlin W15, 15 October 1928 Dear Professor, Please allow me to address a request to you, even if I am surely not known to you as a scientist and am not enclosing any letter of recommendation. At the mo- ment I am working with the support of the Emergency Association for German Sci- ence on a wide-ranging project concerning the psychology of the productive personality.[2] A very large and valuable body of material on artistic creation has already been assembled.[3] Now I am turning to scientists. And here I would be very grateful to you, Professor, if you would be so kind as to support my work by answering the enclosed questions and letting me know the result. Regarding these questions, I would like to note that they are only points of reference to organize what I am seeking. Hoping that I have not made an inappropriate request and warmly thanking you in advance, I am with respect, sincerely yours, Paul Plaut