Who was Lewis Strauss and why did he hate Oppenheimer?
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Mohammad BilalJul 26, 2023 | 12:41
Among the captivating characters in Christopher Nolan’s recently released film, "Oppenheimer," one who has notably captured the audience's attention is Lewis Strauss, portrayed by Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr.
The post-World War II era witnessed intense animosity between Strauss, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and renowned scientist J Robert Oppenheimer. Strauss, in his real-life role as Oppenheimer's nemesis, seemingly went to great lengths to undermine the scientist's career.
Born in 1896 to Jewish emigrant parents in West Virginia, Strauss initially aspired to study physics but found himself working as a shoe salesman to support his father's business. Eventually, he became an assistant to Herbert Hoover during World War II.
Why was Strauss so miffed with Oppenheimer?
The roots of Strauss's resentment against Oppenheimer can be traced back to an incident in 1949 when Oppenheimer publicly humiliated him for selling radioisotopes to foreign nations.
Additionally, a scene depicted in the movie, where Oppenheimer seemingly made a dismissive remark to Albert Einstein while ignoring Strauss, further fueled Strauss's animosity. However, it was later revealed in the movie that Oppenheimer's comment was not directed at Strauss.
In 1953, Strauss requested FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to investigate Oppenheimer, leading to illegal phone tapping to build a case against him. Strauss also initiated a separate security proceeding within the AEC, alleging Oppenheimer's communist affiliations, which eventually led to the revocation of Oppenheimer's security clearances. Strauss accused him of being a Soviet agent.
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