John von Neumann, considered one of the most creative mathematicians of the 20th century, made important contributions to quantum physics, game theory, economics, meteorology, the development of the atomic bomb, and computer design. He was known for his problem-solving ability, his encyclopedic memory, and his ability to reduce complex problems to a mathematically tractable form. Von Neumann served as a consultant to the United States government on scientific and military matters, and was a member of the Atomic Energy Commission. According to mathematician Peter D. Lax, von Neumann combined extreme quickness, very broad interests, and a fearsome technical prowess; the popular saying was, "Most mathematicians prove what they can; von Neumann proves what he wants." The Nobel Laureate physicist Hans Albrecht Bethe said, "I have sometimes wondered whether a brain like von Neumann's does not indicate a species superior to that of man."

Max and Margaret von Neumann's...