Master Surname Index



Vannevar Bush

Ancestry of Dr.
Vannevar Bush

President, Carnegie Institution of Science

    Vannevar Bush

    View famous kin of Vannevar Bush

    • 1st Generation
    • Ahnentafel No:
    • 1 
    • Birth Date:
    • 11 Mar 1890 
    • Birth Location:
    • Everett, Middlesex, Massachusetts 
    • Christening Date:
    •  
    • Christening Location:
    •  
    • Death Date:
    • 28 Jun 1974 
    • Death Location:
    • Belmont, Middlesex, Massachusetts 
    • Burial Date:
    •  
    • Burial Location:
    •  
    • Notes: 

    • Engineer, Inventor and Science Administrator

      President of the Carnegie Institution of Science

      Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development

      Dr. Vannevar Bush was a pioneering American engineer and inventor whose work significantly impacted science and technology in the 20th century. Born on March 11, 1890, in Everett, Massachusetts, Bush's academic journey began at Tufts College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1913. He went on to complete his Master's and Doctoral degrees in engineering from MIT and Harvard University, respectively.

      Bush's career was marked by numerous milestones. He joined the Carnegie Institution of Science in 1938 as president, where he fostered advancements in various scientific fields. His tenure at Carnegie was marked by efforts to promote scientific research and development, solidifying the institution's role as a leading scientific organization.

      One of Bush's most notable contributions was during World War II, when he served as the head of the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD). In this role, he coordinated the efforts of scientists and engineers to develop new technologies for the war effort. This included the development of radar, the proximity fuse, and significant advances in medical research.

      Bush played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project, the secret endeavor to develop the atomic bomb. His leadership in organizing and managing scientific research was instrumental in the project's success, ultimately leading to the development of nuclear weapons that contributed to the end of World War II.

      After the war, Bush continued to influence science and technology policy. His 1945 report, "Science, The Endless Frontier," advocated for government funding of scientific research, leading to the establishment of the National Science Foundation.

      Dr. Vannevar Bush received numerous accolades for his contributions to science and technology. He was awarded the AIEE's Edison Medal in 1943, the Presidential Medal for Merit in 1948, and the National Medal of Science in 1963. Additionally, he was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997.

      Dr. Bush's legacy is profound, reflecting his vision for the interplay between scientific research and practical application. His work laid the groundwork for the modern research infrastructure in the United States, and his contributions continue to resonate in the realms of science, technology, and national policy. Bush passed away on June 28, 1974, but his impact on the scientific community endures.

  • Marriages for Vannevar Bush

    • Spouse:
    • Phoebe Clara Davis
    • Marriage Date:
    • 5 Sep 1916
    • Marriage Location:
    • Chelsea, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Scroll down to see sources.