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| | [[Image:Von.jpg|thumb|right]] | | [[Image:Von.jpg|thumb|right]] |
| − | '''John von Neumann''' (1903-1957) was a [[Hungary|Hungarian]]-born [[mathematician]] who immigrated to the [[United States]] when Hitler rose to power. He was a child prodigy who contributed a broad range of fields, include [[quantum mechanics]], [[game theory]] and [[computer science]]. He is credited with doing early work on the modern digital computer called von Neumann architecture<ref>John von Neumann (ed) (1945). | + | '''John von Neumann''' (1903-1957) was perhaps the most brilliant man of the 20th century, based on his remarkable achievements and impressions by other smart people who knew him. A [[Hungary|Hungarian]]-born [[mathematician]], von Neumann immigrated to the [[United States]] when Hitler rose to power. He was a child prodigy who contributed a broad range of fields, include [[quantum mechanics]], [[game theory]] and [[computer science]]. He is credited with doing early work on the modern digital computer called von Neumann architecture<ref>John von Neumann (ed) (1945). |
| | [http://qss.stanford.edu/~godfrey/vonNeumann/vnedvac.pdf | First Draft of a Report on the Edvac] | | [http://qss.stanford.edu/~godfrey/vonNeumann/vnedvac.pdf | First Draft of a Report on the Edvac] |
| | </ref> and the application of operator theory to quantum mechanics called von Neumann algebra. He was a member of the [[Manhattan Project]] who later worked with [[Edward Teller]] and [[Stanislaw Ulam]] to develop the steps for thermonuclear reactions necessary to build the hydrogen bomb. | | </ref> and the application of operator theory to quantum mechanics called von Neumann algebra. He was a member of the [[Manhattan Project]] who later worked with [[Edward Teller]] and [[Stanislaw Ulam]] to develop the steps for thermonuclear reactions necessary to build the hydrogen bomb. |
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| | Among mathematicians, John von Neumann probably had the greatest influence on the world in the 20th century, according to the ''Encyclopedia Britannica''.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/632750/John-von-Neumann/256595/Later-years-and-assessment</ref> | | Among mathematicians, John von Neumann probably had the greatest influence on the world in the 20th century, according to the ''Encyclopedia Britannica''.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/632750/John-von-Neumann/256595/Later-years-and-assessment</ref> |
| | ==Religion== | | ==Religion== |
| − | John von Neumann was born to a non-practicing [[Judaism | Jewish]] family but still had a ritual circumcision, he later converted to [[Roman Catholicism]]; While agnostic most of his life, von Neumann surprised non-believers by requesting to see a Catholic priest on his deathbed. | + | John von Neumann was born to a non-practicing [[Judaism | Jewish]] family but still had a ritual circumcision, he later converted to [[Roman Catholicism]]; After being agnostic for much of his life, von Neumann surprised non-believers by requesting to see a Catholic priest as von Neumann approached death with sound mind in his mid-50s. |
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| | ==Politics== | | ==Politics== |