The Life & Legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Black and white photo of Oppenheimer seated, staring at the camera.
J. Robert Oppenheimer pictured in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project.

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/ED WESTCOTT

 
A controversial figure to this day, J. Robert Oppenheimer led the development and construction of the world's first atomic weapons. Born in New York and educated at Harvard and Cambridge, Oppenheimer taught physics in California before embarking on his role in the Manhattan Project as the director of the top-secret Los Alamos Laboratory. After the war, his past communist leanings came to a head when his government security clearance was revoked after several contentious hearings at the height of the "Red Scare". Learn more about his life and legacy through a series of articles, profiles, virtual tours of his Los Alamos home, and filming locations featured in the upcoming Hollywood biopic. 
 
Oppenheimer pictured as a boy standing immediately left of his father Julius.
The Life of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Explore the life and controversial legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer through an article series.

A photo of Oppenheimer in his college years.
Profile of Oppenheimer

Explore a short profile of Oppenheimer's life and work.

 
Color photo of the exterior of Oppenheimer's Los Alamos home.
360 Photos

Take a panoramic tour of the interior of Oppenheimer's home at Los Alamos.

Color photo of Fuller Lodge at Los Alamos, a large wooden lodge.
Filming Locations

Explore locations in and around Los Alamos featured in the upcoming Oppenheimer film.

 

Last updated: May 8, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Manhattan Project National Historical Park
c/o NPS Intermountain Regional Office
P.O. Box 25287

Denver, CO 80225-0287

Phone:

Hanford: 509.376.1647
Los Alamos: 505.661.6277
Oak Ridge: 865.482.1942

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