---
born: 1903-12-28
category: Nuclear Scientists & Programs
died: 1957-02-08
location: Budapest, Hungary
summary: John von Neumann was a Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist who
  made significant contributions to quantum physics, functional analysis, set theory,
  economics, computer science, and nuclear physics.
tags:
- Person
- Nuclear
- Physicist
- Israel
---

John von Neumann was a Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to quantum physics, functional analysis, set theory, economics, computer science, and nuclear physics. He was a key figure in the [Manhattan Project](/programs/manhattan-project/), working alongside [J. Robert Oppenheimer](/people/j-robert-oppenheimer/). As early as 1947, he was courted by [Chaim Weizmann](/people/chaim-weizmann/) to spend time doing research in [Israel](/places/israel/).[^1]

[^1]: Hersh, Seymour M. *The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy*. Random House, 1991. Chapter 2.