He graduated from Derby School in 1935 and entered Harvard University with the aim of studying literature so that he might become a writer. However, he discovered that, for him, mathematics was easy and required little effort while he had to spend long hours learning literature.
Siya ay nagtapos mula sa Derby School sa 1935 at ipinasok sa Harvard University ang mga layunin ng pag-aaral literatura na kaya siya maaaring maging isang writer. Gayunman, siya ay natuklasan na, para sa kanya, matematika ay madali at kinakailangan maliit na pagsisikap habang siya ay nagkaroon na gumastos ng mahabang oras sa pag-aaral ng literatura.