Rickover, Hyman George (1900–1986)

Russian-born US naval officer. During World War II, he worked on the atomic-bomb project, headed the navy's nuclear reactor division, and served on the Atomic Energy Commission. He was responsible for the development of the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus, 1954. After retiring 1982, he became an outspoken critic of the dangers of nuclear research and development.

Rickover emigrated to the USA with his family 1906 and graduated from the US Naval Academy 1922. After further studies in engineering, he became a specialist in the electrical division of the Bureau of Ships. He was promoted to the rank of admiral 1973.