Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Chaim Weizmann

Role / Field:

Pioneering biochemist, Zionist leader, and first President of Israel.

Born:

1874-11-27

Died:

1952-11-09

Century / Era:

1874s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Early Life and Scientific Foundations

Chaim Azriel Weizmann was born in the village of Motal, which was then part of the Russian Empire, in 1874. His academic and scientific career established him as a leading figure in biochemistry, earning him the title of the 'father' of industrial fermentation. He was particularly noted for developing the crucial acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation process. This groundbreaking method allowed for the production of acetone, n-butanol, and ethanol through bacterial fermentation, laying vital groundwork for future industrial applications across various scientific fields.

Pivotal Contributions to Industry and Academia

Weizmann's scientific acumen gained immense geopolitical importance during World War I, as his acetone production method proved vital for manufacturing cordite explosive propellants for the British war industry. Beyond this, he was instrumental in establishing key academic institutions, notably founding the Sieff Research Institute in Rehovot, which was later renamed the Weizmann Institute of Science in his honor. Furthermore, his efforts were crucial in the establishment of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, cementing his role as a builder of modern Israeli intellectual life.

Zionist Leadership and the State of Israel

His life transitioned profoundly from pure science to intense political activism, where he became a leading Zionist figure. Weizmann was instrumental in securing the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and played a critical role in convincing the United States government to recognize the nascent State of Israel in 1948. This culminated in his election as the first President of Israel on February 16, 1949, a position he held until his passing in 1952, solidifying his legacy as a statesman and visionary leader.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abby Aldrich Rockefeller — Contemporary (Born in 1874) (1874): American socialite and influential philanthropist, key patron of modern art.
• Adolphe Quetelet — Contemporary (Died in 1874) (1874): Pioneering Belgian statistician, founder of anthropometry, and social scientist.
• Amy Lowell — Contemporary (Born in 1874) (1874): American poet, key figure in the Imagist school, known for her vibrant verse.
• Adi Shamir — Contemporary (Born in 1952) (1952): Pioneering Israeli cryptographer, co-inventor of the RSA algorithm.
• Albert Bassermann — Contemporary (Died in 1952) (1952): Esteemed German stage and screen actor, celebrated for his dramatic versatility.
• Alexandra Kollontai — Contemporary (Died in 1952) (1952): Pioneering Marxist feminist, diplomat, and Bolshevik leader in early Soviet history.
• Abraham de Moivre — Shared historical date (11-27 · Died) (1754): Pioneering French mathematician known for complex numbers, probability theory, and the normal distribution.
• Ada Lovelace — Shared historical date (11-27 · Died) (1852): Pioneering mathematician recognized as the first computer programmer.
• Ahn Chang Ho — Shared historical date (11-09 · Born) (1878): Pioneering Korean independence activist and leader of the Korean-American community.
• Anne Sexton — Shared historical date (11-09 · Born) (1928): Confessional American poet celebrated for blending personal trauma with myth and verse.
• 1874 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1874
• November 27 (11-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 27
• 1952 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1952
• November 9 (11-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 9

Frequently Asked Questions about Chaim Weizmann