Family members were proud. Their ancestors had come to America on the Mayflower. Their line had included senators, pastors and the smartest Wall Street wizards. They decided to compile a family history. To do this, they hired a fine author. Only one problem arose: how to handle that great-uncle who was executed in the electric chair. But the author said not to worry. He could handle that tactfully. When the book appeared, the family turned to the section on Uncle George. They found a picture of George, standing in front of a wire fence. They read: George occupied a chair of applied electronics at an important government institution. He was attached to his position by the strongest of ties. His death came as a shock.