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John von Neumann
John von Neumann
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Hungarian and American mathematician and physicist (1903–1957)

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Immigration to the United States and Early Career (1930-1937)Immigration to the United States and Early Career (1930-1937)Main milestonesMain milestonesAcademic Career in Europe (1927-1930)Academic Career in Europe (1927-1930)Illness and Death (1956-1957)Illness and Death (1956-1957)Contributions to Computer Science (1945-1957)Contributions to Computer Science (1945-1957)Early Life and Education (1903-1926)Early Life and Education (1903-1926)World War II and the Manhattan Project (1940-1945)World War II and the Manhattan Project (1940-1945)Government Service and Cold War Era (1950-1957)Government Service and Cold War Era (1950-1957)Legacy and ImpactLegacy and ImpactMathematics ContributionsMathematics ContributionsPersonal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsGame Theory and Economics (1944-1953)Game Theory and Economics (1944-1953)

Days from Chronicle

8 February, 1957
John von Neumann died at the age of 53 at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington, D.C., from cancer. He was buried at Princeton Cemetery. This date marks the end of the life of a monumental figure in mathematics, science, and technology.
16 July, 1945
John von Neumann was present as an eyewitness to the first test of an atomic bomb detonation, code-named Trinity. The event was conducted as a test of the implosion method device, at the Alamogordo Bombing Range in New Mexico. Based on his observation alone, von Neumann estimated the test had resulted in a blast equivalent to 5 kilotons of TNT (21 TJ) but Enrico Fermi produced a more accurate estimate of 10 kilotons by dropping scraps of torn-up paper as the shock wave passed his location and watching how far they scattered. The actual power of the explosion had been between 20 and 22 kilotons. It was in von Neumann's 1944 papers that the expression 'kilotons' appeared for the first time.
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Main Milestones
Birth in Budapest
December 28, 1903
John von Neumann was born Neumann János Lajos in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, to a wealthy, assimilated Jewish family. His father, Max Neumann, was a successful banker, and his mother, Margit Kann, came from a well-to-do family. His family's affluent background afforded him exceptional educational opportunities from a young age. The 'von' was added later when his father was elevated to hereditary nobility.
Prodigy Emerges
Early Childhood
From a very young age, von Neumann displayed an astonishing aptitude for mathematics and languages. He could perform complex calculations in his head by the age of six and was fluent in several languages before his teens. He possessed a photographic memory and a voracious appetite for knowledge, devouring books on advanced calculus and other subjects far beyond his years. Tutors were employed to foster his remarkable intellectual gifts, recognizing that he had abilities far beyond what a normal curriculum could offer.
Formal Education
1921-1926
Under pressure from his father to pursue a career with better financial prospects, von Neumann simultaneously pursued degrees in mathematics and chemical engineering. He obtained a diploma in chemical engineering from ETH Zurich in 1925 and a PhD in mathematics from the University of Budapest in 1926. Even as a student, he was publishing groundbreaking papers in mathematics, establishing himself as a rising star in the academic world. His doctoral dissertation focused on set theory.
Immigration to the United States
1930
Von Neumann accepted a visiting lectureship at Princeton University, marking his official move to the United States. He became one of the original six mathematics professors at the Institute for Advanced Study in 1933, a position he held for the rest of his life. He was appointed alongside other titans of science such as Albert Einstein. The move to the United States provided him with unparalleled opportunities to pursue his research and collaborate with other leading scientists.
Contributions to Quantum Mechanics and Game Theory
1930s-1940s
During this period, von Neumann made fundamental contributions to the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics, significantly clarifying the relationship between classical and quantum mechanics. His work on operator theory and spectral theory proved especially important. He also co-authored "Theory of Games and Economic Behavior" with Oskar Morgenstern (published in 1944), a seminal work that established game theory as a distinct field and revolutionized economics and political science. This book provided a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic interactions between rational individuals.
Involvement in the Manhattan Project
World War II
Von Neumann played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project, the top-secret effort to develop the atomic bomb. His expertise in mathematics and computation was invaluable for solving complex hydrodynamic equations related to the implosion method of assembling the plutonium core. He also advocated for the use of Monte Carlo methods for simulating complex physical processes, which were essential for the success of the project. He played a key role in calculating the height at which the bomb should be detonated over Hiroshima to maximize its destructive effect.
Pioneering Work in Computer Science
Post-War Era
Following World War II, von Neumann turned his attention to the development of the digital computer. He developed the 'von Neumann architecture', which is the foundation for almost all computers used today. This architecture features a central processing unit (CPU), a memory unit to store both instructions and data, and input/output mechanisms. He also designed the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC), one of the first electronic computers. This work revolutionized computation and laid the groundwork for the information age.
Consultant and Advisor
1950s
In the 1950s, von Neumann served as a consultant to numerous government agencies and corporations, including the Atomic Energy Commission and IBM. He exerted significant influence on defense policy and advocated for the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). His deep knowledge of mathematics, physics, and computer science made him an invaluable advisor on a wide range of technological and strategic issues. He often briefed presidents and high-ranking officials on the latest scientific developments.
Death from Cancer
February 8, 1957
John von Neumann died of bone cancer at the age of 53. His sharp mind remained active even as his body deteriorated, but the pain was intense. He received last rites from a Catholic priest on his deathbed, though his religious beliefs remained private throughout his life. His early death robbed the world of one of its most brilliant intellects, but his legacy continues to shape the world we live in today. He is buried in Princeton Cemetery.
Brief
Known For
Mathematics, physics, computer science, game theory, operator theory, set theory, functional analysis, economics, statistics, defense, ballistics, hydrodynamics, and meteorology; key figure in the development of the atomic bomb (Manhattan Project); architecture of modern computers (von Neumann architecture); contributions to quantum mechanics; development of game theory and the concept of mutually assured destruction.
Key Dates and Places
  • Born Date: December 28, 1903.
  • Born Place: Budapest, Austria-Hungary.
  • Death Date: February 8, 1957.
  • Death Place: Washington, D.C., United States.
Career
  • Past occupations: Professor of Mathematics (Berlin, Princeton), Consultant (various government and private entities), Director of Special Weapons Project Group.
  • Previous Place of Work: University of Berlin, Princeton University, Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton), Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Achievements and Recognition
  • Awards: Enrico Fermi Award (1956), Medal for Merit (1947, presented by President Truman), Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously, 1977), Bôcher Memorial Prize (1938).
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#mathematician#man#scientist#engineer#american#physicist#hungarian#person#computer scientist
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