Manhattan Project Leaders: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

US President Franklin Roosevelt was instrumental in the creation of the Manhattan Project.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Quick Facts

Significance:

32nd President of the United States

Place of Birth:

Hyde Park, NY

Date of Birth:

January 30, 1882

Place of Death:

Warm Springs, GA

Date of Death:

April 12, 1945

Place of Burial:

Hyde Park, NY

Cemetery Name:

Springwood Estate

The 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death on April 12, 1945, FDR was the only president to serve more than two terms in office. A Democrat from Hyde Park, New York, upon receiving the “Einstein Letter” on October 11, 1939 warning of Nazi Germany’s attempt to create an atomic bomb, he approved the creation of the Advisory Committee on Uranium, the National Defense Research Council, and the Office of Scientific Research and Development, all precursors to the Manhattan Project. In 1942, Roosevelt approved the creation of the Manhattan Engineer District, officially starting the Manhattan Project, and approved $500 million dollars for the project in December that same year.

In addition, FDR was instrumental in securing corporate assistance for constructing and maintaining Manhattan Project facilities as well as signing Executive Order 8802 in 1941, which banned racial discrimination in the federal government defense industries, allowing Black and Hispanic workers at Manhattan Project sites. However, these workers still met with segregation at the secret cities.

His successor, Harry Truman, did not learn of the existence of the Manhattan Project until the day after FDR’s death. Learn more about FDR through the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site in New York.