Joseph Rotblat

Joseph Rotblat Los Alamos identity badge photo

Polish physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Joseph Rotblat

Birth date	1911-11-04
Birth place	Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
Died	31 August 2005(2005-08-31) (aged 93)
Place of death	London, England
Nationality	Polish
Known for	Manhattan Project, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
Awards	Nobel Peace Prize (1995)

Joseph Rotblat (4 November 1911 – 31 August 2005) was a Polish physicist who is best known for his work on the Manhattan Project during World War II and his later efforts to promote nuclear disarmament. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 for his efforts with the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Rotblat was born in Warsaw, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He studied physics at the University of Warsaw, where he earned his Master's degree. He later received his PhD from the same institution.

Career

Rotblat began his career in physics at the University of Warsaw, focusing on nuclear physics. In 1939, he moved to the United Kingdom to work at the University of Liverpool under James Chadwick, the discoverer of the neutron.

Manhattan Project

During World War II, Rotblat joined the Manhattan Project, the secret U.S. project aimed at developing the first nuclear weapons. However, he left the project in 1944 due to ethical concerns about the use of nuclear weapons.

Post-War Activities

After the war, Rotblat became a professor at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. He dedicated much of his later career to advocating for nuclear disarmament. In 1957, he co-founded the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, an international organization that seeks to reduce the threat of armed conflict and to seek solutions to global security threats.

Awards and Honors

In recognition of his efforts towards nuclear disarmament, Rotblat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995. He also received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career.

Personal Life

Rotblat was married to Tola Gryn, who perished during the Holocaust. He remained in the United Kingdom after the war and became a British citizen.

Legacy

Joseph Rotblat is remembered as a pioneering physicist who made significant contributions to nuclear physics and as a tireless advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament. His work with the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs continues to influence global security policies.

See Also

• Manhattan Project
• Nuclear disarmament
• Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
• Nobel Peace Prize