A Memoir in La Jolla, California presents: "Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams a reality." The memorial commemorates the great virologist Jonas Salk (Salk.edu). Although many recognize Salk as the man who accomplished the eradication of polio, he also contributed to a great deal of medical research. A comprehensive study of Jonas Salk includes his young life, early career, work with polio, and later career and life. Daniel and Dora Press Salk became the parents of Jonas Salk on October 28, 1914. Daniel, a designer of women's clothing, provided his new family with a small apartment in Manhattan (Bankston 11). For Major Salk received his mother's undying attention. When Salk was two years old, the first major polio infection began in the United States; the concentration was most severe in New York City, home of the Salks (Hargrove 8-9). No mother was more cautious than Dora Salk. Although both parents were relatively uneducated, they highly valued education. Mrs. Salk kept Jonas indoors not only to protect him from dreaded diseases, but also to satisfy his curiosity and encourage learning. He provided Salk with literature and logic problems throughout his childhood (Barter 16-18). Salk entered free, but prestigious, Townsend Harris High School at age Farless 211 and then graduated three years later (Bankston 13-14). He rejected his mother's preference for rabbinical school and decided to major in pre-law at the City College of New York to become a congressman (Kluger 27). After enjoying his science classes, he decided to switch to medical school and become a researcher (Barter 20). He graduated in 1934 and entered the New York University School of Me... middle of paper... inoculated with the Salk vaccine. The polio infection rate was 86% lower than in 1954 (Carter 351). Salk began working at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. The institute would be a haven for scientists, philosophers and artists. The work there focused on both cancer and AIDS research (Bankston 43). Salk spent much of his life in the laboratory rather than with his wife and three children. Donna and Jonas Salk separated in 1968. He later married Francoise Gilot in 1970. He also wrote four books in the 1970s (Barter 90-91). He continued to work diligently until his death on June 23, 1995, from congestive heart failure. Salk had the imagination, dreams, and courage to tackle many of the most important issues in the United States. His ambitions and successes will live on through the thousands of lives he saved.