Short biography of Meyer W. Weisgal
- Born in 1894 in Poland, immigrated to USA in 1905.
- Was active in the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)
since 1915. Leading position in 1921-30.
- Producer of various plays in the 1930's, and
in particular productions on jewish/zionist themes (in Chicago and NYC).
- Since 1940 served as the personal assistent of Chaim Weizmann
(1874-1952, president of World Zionist Organization 1920-31 and 1935-46,
and first president of the State of Israel 1949-52).
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Was active on behalf of the Weizmann Institute of Science since 1944.
Served as Chairman of the Institute's Executive Council 1949-66,
as Acting Director 1952-59,
and as President 1966-69 and Chancellor 1970-77.
Weisgal was described as one of the great institution builders of our
time; an impresario with no first-hand knowledge of Science, but with
a profound understanding of and deep sensitivity to the scientific
spirit; the man who has built one of the great scientific institutions
of the world.
See also a eulogy (1977),
official biographical notes (1964),
and an extract of thereof.
Back to the homepage of
Oded Goldreich,
incumbent of the Meyer W. Weisgal Professorial Chair.