John von Neumann

AKA:

Johnny

Birth Name:

Neumann János Lajos

Birth Date:

December 28, 1903

Birth Place:

Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary

Death Date:

February 8, 1957

Place of Death:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Age:

Cause of Death:

Bone cancer (disputed)

Claim to Fame:

Science

John von Neumann was a Hungarian-American mathematician, physicist, computer scientist, engineer and polymath. Von Neumann was regarded as perhaps the mathematician with the widest coverage of the subject in his time and was said to have been "the last representative of the great mathematicians who were equally at home in pure and applied mathematics". Von Neumann's academic career was filled with awards and honors. He was a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; Academiz Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Peru; Acamedia Nazionale dei Lincei, Italy; National Academy of Sciences; Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences and Letters; Information Processing Hall of Fame; and held numerous honorary degrees. Described as the scientific genius who pioneered the modern computer, game theory, nuclear deterrence, and more, John von Neumann illuminated the fields of pure and applied mathematics, computer science, physics, and economics. In the end, it would be supremely difficult to effectively refute the claim that John von Neumann is likely the most intelligent person who has ever lived. By the time of his death in 1957 at the modest age of 53, the Hungarian polymath had not only revolutionized several subfields of mathematics and physics but also made foundational contributions to pure economics and statistics and taken key parts in the invention of the atomic bomb, nuclear energy and digital computing.

Fun Fact

In Princeton, he received complaints for regularly playing extremely loud German march music on his phonograph, which distracted those in neighboring offices, including Albert Einstein, from their work.

Accepting an invitation from Oswald Veblen to lecture on quantum theory at Princeton University, John von Neumann was one of a group of Hungarian and Jewish intellectuals to escape to the United States from the turmoil of Europe. Following a year as a guest lecturer, he was appointed to the faculty. At age 30, he became the youngest professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, in the School of Mathematics, where he was frequently mistaken for a graduate student.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

, ,

North America

Map:

Map of Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, New Jersey

Grave Location:

Von Neumann Family Plot

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery turn right and the left and drive a short distance to the “Dilworth” monument on the road on your right. Park and walk six rows to the final resting place of John von Neumann (X-26 on the official Princeton Cemetery Map).

Grave Location GPS

40.355298073217476, -74.65882201633637

Photos:

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Videos Featuring John von Neumann:

A (very) Brief History of John von Neumann

John Von Neumann Interview

Edward Teller talks about John von Neumann (1966)

Marina Whitman discusses the legacy of her father, John von Neumann

John Von Neumann & The Atomic Bomb

John Wheeler - John von Neumann (Part 1)

See More:

Sir Douglas Mawson

popular name: Sir Douglas Mawson

date_of_death: October 14, 1958

age: 76

cause_of_death: Cerebral haemorrhage

claim_to_fame: Science

best_know_for: Douglas Mawson is a world renowned Australian geologist, explorer, and scientist known for his pioneering work in Antarctica. Mawson began his studies at the University of Sydney where majored in geology and developed a passion for exploration. His first expedition began in 1907 when he joined Ernest Shackleton’s British Antarctic Expedition as a scientist. Although the expedition didn’t achieve all its goals, it laid the foundation for his future Antarctic ventures. In 1911 Mawson led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), a scientific and exploration mission. This became one of his most notable achievements. Mawson and his team conducted significant geological surveys, made important meteorological observations, and explored previously uncharted areas of Antarctica. In 1912 during the AAE, Mawson embarked on a perilous journey to explore further inland, accompanied by two companions, Belgrave Ninnis and Xavier Mertz. Both men perished—Ninnis fell into a crevasse, and Mertz died from starvation and exposure. Mawson continued alone, suffering from exhaustion and frostbite but ultimately survived, managing to return to base, where he was hailed as a hero. After returning to Australia, Mawson continued his work in geology and advocated for further exploration in Antarctica. He was instrumental in the establishment of Australian research stations in Antarctica, was a key figure in the founding of the Australian Antarctic Division and played a role in ensuring Australia’s claim to parts of Antarctica. For his contributions, including being knighted in 1914, he also made significant contributions to the development of scientific research in polar regions and his name is associated with several geographic locations in Antarctica, and he remains a celebrated figure in Australian exploration history. Today Sir Douglas Mawson is considered one of the greatest men of his era both in Australia and by scientist around the world.