Von Neumann, John, 1903-1957

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1903-12-28
Death 1957-02-08
Americans
English, Hungarian

Biographical notes:

John (Johann) Louis von Neumann (1903-1957) was born in Budapest and showed early signs of being a child prodigy. He entered the University of Budapest in 1921, but also attended the University of Berlin and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology before obtaining a degree in chemical engineering in 1925. He earned his Doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Budapest in 1927. After graduation, he worked at the University of Berlin before becoming a visiting professor to Princeton from 1930-1953. Concurrent with his time at Princeton was the development of the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), of which he was an active participant working with the creation of an IAS computer. He became a U.S. citizen in the 1930s. His interests and fields of study included early computers and computing, hydrodynamics, ballistics, meteorology, statistics, quantum theory, and game theory (which he founded). His knowledge and expertise in these areas allowed him to assist the U. S. government during WWII, including working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (the Manhattan Project), and he continued with this work even after the war. During the 1950s, Von Neumann was employed as a consultant with IBM: his only patent was filed for them in 1954.

From the guide to the John Von Neumann Collection 2003-096., 1913-1925, 1942-1956, 1989-1992, (Archives of American Mathematics, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Mathematician, atomic energy commissioner, and educator.

From the description of John Von Neumann papers, 1912-1996 (bulk 1935-1957). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70982518

John Von Neumann earned his Doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Budapest in 1927. He worked at the University of Berlin, and then Princeton University until his death in 1957. His interests included computing, quantum theory, and game theory. Von Neumann was also employed as a consultant for IBM (1950s).

From the description of Von Neumann, John, collection, 1913-1992. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 52570382

Hungarian born John Von Neumann is generally regarded as one of the foremost mathematicians of the 20th century.

The Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer (MADDIDA) was a computer built by Northrop Aircraft Corporation in 1950.

From the description of John Von Neumann collection, 1919-1966 (bulk 1919-1949) (Princeton University Library). WorldCat record id: 216942184

Biographical Note

1903, Dec. 28 Born, Budapest, Hungary 1926 Ph.D., University of Budapest,Budapest, Hungary 1929 Married Mariette Kovesi (divorced 1937) 1930 Immigrated to United States 1930 1933 Visiting professor, Princeton University,Princeton, N.J. 1932 Published Mathematische Grundlagen der Quantenmechanik. Berlin: J. Springer 1933 1957 Research professor of mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study,Princeton, N.J. 1937 Naturalized United States citizen 1939 Married Klara Dan 1940 1957 Member, Scientific Advisory Committee,Ballistic Research Laboratory,Aberdeen, Md. 1943 1955 Consultant, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory,Los Alamos, N.Mex. 1944 Published Theory of Games and Economic Behavior. Princeton: Princeton University Press 1952 1954 Member, General Advisory Committee,United States Atomic Energy Commission 1955 1957 Commissioner, United States Atomic Energy Commission 1957, Feb. 8 Died, Washington, D.C.

From the guide to the John Von Neumann Papers, 1912-1996, (bulk 1935-1957), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

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Subjects:

  • Atomic theory
  • Ballistics
  • Complementarity (Physics)
  • Computers
  • Computers
  • Continuous geometries
  • Game theory
  • Genealogy
  • Logic, Symbolic and mathematical
  • MADDIDA (Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer)
  • Mathematicians
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Nuclear energy
  • Nuclear energy
  • Nuclear energy
  • Operator theory
  • Physics
  • Physics
  • Quantum theory
  • Quantum theory
  • Quantum theory
  • Relativity (Physics)
  • Wave mechanics
  • Computers
  • Mathematics
  • Nuclear energy
  • Nuclear energy
  • Physics
  • Quantum theory
  • Quantum theory

Occupations:

  • Atomic energy commissioners
  • Educators
  • Mathematicians
  • Physicists

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • New Jersey--Princeton (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)

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