Eugene Paul Wigner's enormous contribution to various branches of physics, notably quantum and nuclear, was confirmed by his receipt of the 1963 Nobel Prize in physics (he shared the award with Maria Goeppert-Mayer and J. Hans D. Jensen). Recognizing the role of symmetry principles in predicting certain physical processes, Wigner formulated many of the laws governing this theory. Wigner is remembered as being one of the first physicists to call attention to the problems of nuclear energy, and also as one of the first scientists to forge links between science and industry around nuclear energy.

Wigner was born in Budapest, Hungary, on November 17, 1902, the son of a businessman. At school, Wigner discovered an interest in physics, but he realized that job opportunities as a physicist in Hungary would be very limited. He therefore decided to study chemical engineering. After receiving a doctorate in chemical engineering from the Technische Hochschule...