Biography: Leo Szilard

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Leo Szilard, A name for nuclear energy, played a huge role in the early stages of atomic research. Szilard was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1898 as Leo Spitz who’s family changed their name shortly after in 1900. Szilard the son of an engineer, being born into an honorable Jewish family, took on the pristine lifestyle himself. Attending public school as he grew up took an interest in physics by the age of thirteen. Upon turning eighteen in 1917 Szilard was drafted into the Hungarian army. Szilard being a highly educated civilian for his age was sent to officer’s training school in the army. Szilard though suffered from a severe case of asthma did not have to server active duty. Following Szilard serving his country through World War 1, Szilard left for Berlin in 1919 to continue his education. “In Berlin, Szilard decided to indulge his intellect and study physics in an environment rich in the some of the greatest talent of his day, notably Max von Laue and Albert Einstein.” (Thomas, 2009) In 1922, with just a little more than two years of schooling, Szilard had earned his doctorates in Physics from The University of Berlin. Not long after finishing his studies Szilard then started postdoctoral work performing research at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Physics. Szilard focused his studies on nuclear physics alongside of the many pioneers of our early scientific voyage. Shortly after Szilard’s studies he became an instructor at the University of Berlin before fleeing Germany in 1933. With World War 2 on its way and Hitler’s rise to power in German in 1933 Szilard was forced to flee Germany to escape Nazi persecution. Szilard resided in London from 1933 through 1938. Within this time Szilard had worked as a research physicist at t... ... middle of paper ... ...ted Lanouette, W. (n.d.). "The Scientists' Petition:" A Forgotton Wartime Protest. Retrieved 11 3, 2013, from Atomic Heritage Goundation: http://www.atomicheritage.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63 Leo Szilard. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 3, 2013, from Atomic Archive: http://www.atomicarchive.com/Bios/Szilard.shtml Letter from Albert Einstein to FDR, 3/25/45. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 3, 2013, from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/truman-ein45/ Thomas, W. (2009, June 11). History and Historiography of Science. Retrieved 11 03, 2013, from Ether Wave Propaganda: http://etherwave.wordpress.com/category/ewp-primer/ Timeline of Events: 1938-1950. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 3, 2013, from Energy.gov Office of Management: http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events

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