Oppenheimer: Why he quoted a line from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita ?
To know the answer, read Oppenheimer’s full biography.
Robert Oppenheimer was a renowned American physicist who is best known for his role in the Manhattan Project, the World War II project that developed the first nuclear weapons. He is often called the “father of the atomic bomb” for his scientific and organizational contributions to the project. Here are some facts about his life and achievements:
Name | Robert Oppenheimer |
Nicknames | Oppie, The Chief |
Other names | Julius Robert Oppenheimer |
Famous for | Leading the Manhattan Project and the Los Alamos Laboratory |
Profession | Physicist, professor |
Personal Bio
Date of birth | April 22, 1904 |
Age | 62 (at the time of his death) |
Sex | Male |
Religion | (by birth, but not practicing) |
Height | 5 Ft. 10 in (178 cm) |
– Weight | 150 lbs. (68 kg) |
Zodiac sign | Taurus |
Profession | Professor, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study |
Hobbies | Reading, hiking, horseback riding, gardening |
Habits | Smoking, drinking, speaking multiple languages |
Family
Robert Oppenheimer was born in New York City in 1904, to wealthy Jewish parents. His father, Julius Oppenheimer, was a businessman, and his mother, Ella Friedman, was a painter. He had a younger brother, Frank Oppenheimer, who also became a physicist. In 1940, he married Katherine “Kitty” Puening, a former communist and divorcee. They had two children, Peter and Katherine.
Education/Professions
Oppenheimer showed an early interest in science and mathematics, which his parents encouraged. He attended Harvard University and earned a degree in chemistry in 1925. He then studied physics at the University of Cambridge and the University of Göttingen, where he received his PhD in 1927. He became a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and the California Institute of Technology. He made significant contributions to theoretical physics, especially in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. He is best known for his role as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, where he led the development of the atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project. He is often called the “father of the atomic bomb” for his scientific and organizational leadership.
Social Media links
-Twitter: @OppenheimerBio (a fan account that posts quotes and facts about Oppenheimer)
– Instagram: @oppenheimer_legacy (a page that shares photos and videos related to Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb)
– Facebook: J. Robert Oppenheimer (a public figure page that has over 10,000 followers)
Net Worth
Oppenheimer’s net worth is not publicly known, but it is estimated that he earned about $10,000 per year as a professor and about $20,000 per year as the director of Los Alamos. He also received several awards and honors for his scientific achievements, such as the Medal for Merit (1946) and the Enrico Fermi Award (1963). However, he also faced financial difficulties after he was stripped of his security clearance in 1954 due to accusations of being a communist sympathizer. He spent much of his later years defending himself against these charges and trying to restore his reputation.
Other Valuables
Cars: Oppenheimer owned a few cars during his lifetime, but he was not very fond of driving. He preferred to walk or bike whenever possible
Summary
Robert J Oppenheimer was an American physicist who is widely regarded as the “father of the atomic bomb”. He led the Los Alamos Laboratory that designed and built the first nuclear weapons under the Manhattan Project during World War II. He later regretted his role in creating such a destructive weapon and became a vocal advocate for nuclear disarmament.
Some interesting facts about Oppenheimer
- He was a genius who graduated from Harvard University in 1925 and earned his PhD from the University of Gottingen in Germany in 1927. He made significant contributions to quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and thermodynamics.
- He was the youngest member of the New York Mineralogical Society at the age of 15. He had a passion for collecting minerals and rocks since he was a child.
- Thrice was he put forth as a contender for the coveted Nobel Prize in Physics, in the years of our Lord 1945, 1951, and 1967. However, the lustrous laurel eluded his grasp, and he remained bereft of its glory throughout his lifetime.
- He was also a Casanova who had many affairs with women, including his students and colleagues.
- He quoted a line from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita when he witnessed the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico in 1945: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
# You may like to watch Oppenheimer Movie Trailer Here and can also watch Trailer
1 thought on “Oppenheimer Biography, Net worth, Life Style & Achievements”