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Max Jammer

Max Jammer was an Israeli physicist and philosopher of physics who founded the physics department at Bar-Ilan University and served as its rector and president.

1915 to 2010Philosophy and history of physicsFounding Bar-Ilan's physics departmentResearch on Einstein and religion

Born: 13 April 1915, Berlin
Died: 18 December 2010, Jerusalem
Occupation: physicist, university teacher
Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of Vienna

Max Jammer was born in 1915 in Berlin

Jammer was born in Berlin in 1915. He studied physics, philosophy and mathematics at the University of Vienna. In 1935 he immigrated to Mandatory Palestine.

He finished his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and earned a PhD in experimental physics in 1942. He then joined the British Army. Afterward he lectured at the Hebrew University on the history and philosophy of science.

In the United States he taught at Harvard, the University of Oklahoma and Boston University, and was close to Albert Einstein, who wrote a foreword to his book on concepts of space. He also wrote a book on Einstein and religion.

He joined Bar-Ilan University and founded its physics department. He was the university's first rector from 1962 to 1964 and later rector and president until 1977. He co-founded an institute for philosophy of science at Tel Aviv University and was president of the Association for the Advancement of Science in Israel.

He was married to Rachel, and his son Rabbi Michael Yammer heads Yeshivat Sha'alvim. Jammer died in 2010.

Max Jammer's life in 10 milestones

1915
Born in Berlin.
1935
Immigrated to Mandatory Palestine.
1942
Earned a PhD in experimental physics at the Hebrew University.
1962
Became the first rector of Bar-Ilan University.
1963
Elected to the French Academy of Philosophy of Science.
1966
Elected rector and president of Bar-Ilan University.
1984
Received the Israel Prize for history of science.
2003
Received the EMET Prize.
2007
Received the Abraham Pais Prize for History of Physics.
2010
Died.

Max Jammer served in the military

After 1942 he served in the British Army in North Africa and Italy during World War II. In the War of Independence he was a member of the Haganah high command in Jerusalem.