"Robert Oppenheimer was born in New York City on April 22, 1904. His father was Julius Oppenheimer, textile merchant, and his mother was Ella Friedman, an artist. At 16, Robert Oppenheimer started undergraduate studies at Harvard College, where he studied chemistry and graduated summa cum laude in three years. He began graduate studies at Cambridge University and transferred to the University of Gottingen in Germany to study under Max Born. He received his doctorate from Gottingen at the age of 23.
In 1929, Robert Oppenheimer became a professor of physics at the University of California at Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology. He remained a professor until June 1942, when Robert Oppenheimer became the technical director of the now famous Manhattan Project, where he oversaw the designing and building of the atomic bomb. In 1947, Robert Oppenheimer was appointed chairman of the General Advisory Committee to the Atomic Energy Commission, and served from 1947 to 1952. The Atomic Energy Commission is a civilian agency that governs nuclear research and weapons issues. Beginning in 1947, Oppenheimer served as the director of Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, a position he held until 1966. Robert Oppenheimer died of throat cancer on February 18, 1967." (Bellis, “Robert Oppenheimer – Manhattan Project” inventors.about.com)
In 1929, Robert Oppenheimer became a professor of physics at the University of California at Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology. He remained a professor until June 1942, when Robert Oppenheimer became the technical director of the now famous Manhattan Project, where he oversaw the designing and building of the atomic bomb. In 1947, Robert Oppenheimer was appointed chairman of the General Advisory Committee to the Atomic Energy Commission, and served from 1947 to 1952. The Atomic Energy Commission is a civilian agency that governs nuclear research and weapons issues. Beginning in 1947, Oppenheimer served as the director of Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, a position he held until 1966. Robert Oppenheimer died of throat cancer on February 18, 1967." (Bellis, “Robert Oppenheimer – Manhattan Project” inventors.about.com)
"I knew . . . that he was a man of tremendous intellectual capacity. . . . I thought he could do the job. In all my inquiries, I was unable to find anyone else who was available who I felt would do as well."
- General Leslie Groves, recalling why he wanted Opppenheimer, 1962