J. Robert Oppenheimer: The Father Of The Atomic Bomb

What facet of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life led to the prominence of the person we know as “The Father of the Atomic Bomb”? Perhaps his prominence is best explained through his work on The Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and his coworkers worked tirelessly to produce a history altering advance in warfare -- known as the atomic bomb, warranting the nickname “The Father of the Atomic Bomb”. Perhaps Oppenheimer’s prominence is a direct reflection of his academic schooling and his intellect. Oppenheimer was accepted into one of the most prestigious high schools in his home town of New York City, New York; he would later continue his education at the University of Harvard at the age of 17, only to graduate in three years as sum cum laude – later …show more content…
Robert Oppenheimer was born in New York City in 1904 (Oppenheimer). In A Life Inside the Center, by Ray Monk, Monk states that Oppenheimer came from a family of affluence; he was raised in an upscale apartment overlooking the Hudson River. Oppenheimer was raised by a team of hired workers, from nurses to chauffeurs, maids and cooks – Oppenheimer was well cared for (Monk 25). According to NPR, a site funded through unbiased forces, Oppenheimer’s father, Julius, emigrated from Germany as a Jewish German and he and his wife Ella determined that The Ethical Culture Society, an American offshoot of Judaism, would give Robert the proper moral and physical structure to shape his young life (NPR). It was at The Ethical Culture Society that Robert gained his first insights to the intellectual world. Much of Oppenheimer’s academic inspiration came from within his family. While on a visit to Germany, Robert’s uncle Benjamin gifted him a set of rocks that inspired him in the field of geology; Roberts father encouraged his academic inspirations and even made photographs and blueprints of architecture because he was so enthralled by the subject (Monk 27). In Oppenheimer: A Portrait of an Enigma, by Jeremy Bernstein, it is stated that Ella and Julius were parents of two other children as well: their second son Lewis was born when Robert was 4; however, he passes away after just 45 days. The third son Frank was born when …show more content…
Robert Oppenheimer’s growing up in such an influential environment of caring family is what enabled him to become one of the greatest scientists of recent generations. Oppenheimer’s family was beyond influential for him and his academic aspirations. At The Ethical Culture Society, Robert was given the foundations to be a contributing member of society. The school taught the basics of the Jewish faith while incorporating lessons about everyday life. Oppenheimer was taught how to greet people and how to handle himself socially. He was not overly friendly, as he had very few friends outside of his immediate family (Oppenheimer: American). Outside of The Ethical Culture Society, Oppenheimer’s extended family inspired him even more. At age 8, Oppenheimer went to Germany on a family vacation. Here, Robert met his Uncle Benjamin for the first time. Benjamin was a geologist who inspired Robert in the field. Geology was Robert’s first experience in the sciences and he was immediately obsessive over the subject (Monk 27). According to english.illinois.edu, he became a correspondent with the New York Mineralogy Club and at the age of 12, the club – accidentally -- invited him to present a paper – it was a success. In 1921, Oppenheimer graduated from The Ethical Culture Society at the top of his class. He was, by all means, a nerd; Oppenheimer attended Harvard at age 17 and went on to study at both Cambridge and Gottingen University. At Harvard, Oppenheimer took in an