Readers of “The Woman Who Smashed Codes”: I wanted to share something with you. It’s an email I received from the archaeologist and author Elizabeth Wayland Barber (elizabethwaylandbarber.com). It describes a 1959 meeting with William Friedman that she says changed her life. 
I’ve been thinking about Barber’s story all week. It says so much about the Friedmans: how they lived, what they valued and found joy in, what they regretted. And their profound influence on others.
Also, this is quite a P.S. from Barber about her own struggles in a male-dominated field. For much of her career she published under the name E.J.W. Barber “so I would look like some British esquire” and the book would get reviewed.
Thanks to Barber for giving permission to share this. elizabethwaylandbarber.com
