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Robert Oppenheimer

What is robert oppenheimer?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Full name Julius Robert Oppenheimer[2]
Born April 22, 1904, New York City[3]
Died February 18, 1967, Princeton, New Jersey[4]
Role Director of the Los Alamos Laboratory[1]
Known for Often called the 'father of the atomic bomb'[1]

Robert Oppenheimer was an American theoretical physicist who directed the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, overseeing the development of the first atomic bomb [1].

Context

Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist, is best known for directing the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, where he oversaw the development of the first atomic bomb [1]. Born in New York City on April 22, 1904, he was often called the 'father of the atomic bomb' [2]. After the war, he became director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey [4]. In the 1950s, the Atomic Energy Commission revoked his security clearance [4].

Documented claims

  • Oppenheimer was responsible for the research and design of an atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project. [1]
  • After the war, he served as director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. [4]
  • In the 1950s, the Atomic Energy Commission revoked his security clearance. [4]

Questions and answers

What happened to Robert Oppenheimer after the bomb?

After the war, he served as director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, and in the 1950s his security clearance was revoked by the Atomic Energy Commission [4].

Why is Oppenheimer called the father of the atomic bomb?

He is often called the 'father of the atomic bomb' because he directed the Los Alamos Laboratory and was responsible for the research and design of the bomb during the Manhattan Project [1].

Sources

  1. J. Robert Oppenheimer - International Disarmament Institute News — disarmament.blogs.pace.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. J. Robert Oppenheimer | Biography, Manhattan Project, ... — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. J. Robert Oppenheimer: Life, Work, and Legacy — ias.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. J. Robert Oppenheimer — lanl.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in History