Chaim Weizmann, Scientist and Statesman

Born in a small Russian shtetel, Chaim Weizmann grew up to develop important scientific breakthroughs, defended the Jewish people at the United Nations, and led the Zionist movement. Learn about the creation of the Weizmann Institute of Science and the development of acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation (the Weizmann Process). This week marks the 76 anniversary of his inauguration as the first president of the State of Israel.

Hear Dr. Weizmann in his own words with rare audio and recordings.

Chaim Weizmann (left) with Emir Feisal (right), 1918.

President Chaim Weizmann presents a Torah to US President Harry S. Truman, Washington DC, May 25, 1948. Credit: Truman Library

Dr. Chaim Weizmann and Mrs. Vera Weizmann leaving the Sieff Research Institute after the cornerstone ceremony for the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. Credit: Hans Pinn, Government Press Office, 1946.

Chaim Weizmann takes the oath as the first president of Israel, February 17, 1949. Credit: David Eldan, GPO.

NOTES:

• Trial and error: The Autobiography of Chaim Weizmann

• The Impossible Takes Longer: The Memoirs of Vera Weizmann

• Research paper on Weizmann Method and Biotechnol Biofuels, 2020 - National Library of Medicine - National Center for Biotechnology Information

• Reviving the Weizmann process for commercial n-butanol production - 2018

• Chaim Weizmann’s acetone patent turns 100 A centennial of entrepreneurship - Weizmann Institute

• Presentation of the Jewish case by representatives of the Jewish Agency, Chaim Weizmann - 1947

• History of Beit Kay in Nahariya founded by Vera Weizmann

• Weizmann Institute of Science official website

• Weizmann House - Yad Chaim Weizmann