Eugene Rabinowitch
Encyclopedia
Eugene Rabinowitch was a Russia
n-born American
biophysicist who is best known for his work in relation to nuclear weapons, especially as a co-author of the Franck Report
and a co-founder in 1945 of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
, a global security and public policy magazine, which he edited until his death.
During World War II
, Rabinowitch, a Russian émigré, worked in the Metallurgical Laboratory (or "Met Lab"), the Manhattan Project
's division at the University of Chicago
. At that time he was a member of the Committee on Political and Social Problems, chaired by James Franck
. Rabinowitch wrote (with help from Leó Szilárd
) what became known as the Franck Report
. The report recommended that nuclear energy
be brought under civilian rather than military control and argued that the United States
should demonstrate the atomic bomb to world leaders in an uninhabited desert or barren island before using it in combat.
The social and ethical concerns expressed in the Franck Report translated into the guiding principles of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
, founded by Rabinowitch and fellow physicist Hyman Goldsmith. In the twenty-fifth anniversary issue of the Bulletin, Rabinowitch wrote that the magazine's purpose "was to awaken the public to full understanding of the horrendous reality of nuclear weapons and of their far-reaching implications for the future of mankind; to warn of the inevitability of other nations acquiring nuclear weapons within a few years, and of the futility of relying on America's possession of the 'secret' of the bomb." Over the years, Rabinowitch wrote more than 100 articles for the magazine, most of them editorials.
Before the war, Rabinowitch passionately pursued research in photosynthesis
, a field in which he was to become a leader. After World War II, Rabinowitch taught and researched botany
as a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
, continuing his photosynthesis work and publishing the three-volume Photosynthesis and Related Processes, as well as many other books.
The papers of Rabinowitch are held in the Special Collections at the University of Chicago
Library.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biophysicist who is best known for his work in relation to nuclear weapons, especially as a co-author of the Franck Report
Franck Report
The Franck Report of June 1945 was a document signed by several prominent nuclear physicists recommending that the United States not use the atomic bomb as a weapon to prompt the surrender of Japan in World War II....
and a co-founder in 1945 of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is a nontechnical online magazine that covers global security and public policy issues, especially related to the dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction...
, a global security and public policy magazine, which he edited until his death.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Rabinowitch, a Russian émigré, worked in the Metallurgical Laboratory (or "Met Lab"), the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
's division at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. At that time he was a member of the Committee on Political and Social Problems, chaired by James Franck
James Franck
James Franck was a German Jewish physicist and Nobel laureate.-Biography:Franck was born to Jacob Franck and Rebecca Nachum Drucker. Franck completed his Ph.D...
. Rabinowitch wrote (with help from Leó Szilárd
Leó Szilárd
Leó Szilárd was an Austro-Hungarian physicist and inventor who conceived the nuclear chain reaction in 1933, patented the idea of a nuclear reactor with Enrico Fermi, and in late 1939 wrote the letter for Albert Einstein's signature that resulted in the Manhattan Project that built the atomic bomb...
) what became known as the Franck Report
Franck Report
The Franck Report of June 1945 was a document signed by several prominent nuclear physicists recommending that the United States not use the atomic bomb as a weapon to prompt the surrender of Japan in World War II....
. The report recommended that nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
be brought under civilian rather than military control and argued that the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
should demonstrate the atomic bomb to world leaders in an uninhabited desert or barren island before using it in combat.
The social and ethical concerns expressed in the Franck Report translated into the guiding principles of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is a nontechnical online magazine that covers global security and public policy issues, especially related to the dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction...
, founded by Rabinowitch and fellow physicist Hyman Goldsmith. In the twenty-fifth anniversary issue of the Bulletin, Rabinowitch wrote that the magazine's purpose "was to awaken the public to full understanding of the horrendous reality of nuclear weapons and of their far-reaching implications for the future of mankind; to warn of the inevitability of other nations acquiring nuclear weapons within a few years, and of the futility of relying on America's possession of the 'secret' of the bomb." Over the years, Rabinowitch wrote more than 100 articles for the magazine, most of them editorials.
Before the war, Rabinowitch passionately pursued research in photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
, a field in which he was to become a leader. After World War II, Rabinowitch taught and researched botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
as a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, continuing his photosynthesis work and publishing the three-volume Photosynthesis and Related Processes, as well as many other books.
The papers of Rabinowitch are held in the Special Collections at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
Library.
External links
- Eugene Rabinowitch, "A Sustained Reaction," "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists", December 1952. Reprinted in abridged form from the Nov/Dec 2005 issue of the Bulletin.
- Alexander RabinowitchAlexander RabinowitchAlexander Rabinowitch is an American historian, professor emeritus of Indiana University. Rabinowitch received his B.A. at Knox College, 1956, M.A. at University of Chicago, 1961 and Ph.D...
, "Founder and Father," "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists", January/February 2005 - Josh Schollmeyer, "Minority Report," "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists", January/February 2005.
- "The voice of Eugene Rabinowitch & the 1980 Rabinowitch Prize Essay," "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists", January 1981.