The Israel Institute for Advanced Studies is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Professor Steven Weinberg, professor at University of Texas at Austin and laureate of the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Professor Weinberg was one of the greatest theoretical physicists of the second half of the 20th century. He was one of the formulators of electroweak theory in unified field theory, which explains the unity between electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force, and these are two of the four fundamental forces known today. Accelerators built at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, have confirmed the detailed predictions of the theory.
In 1983, Professor Weinberg was the founder of the Advanced School in Theoretical Physics that is held annually at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Weinberg attracted the finest lectures and students to Jerusalem, and most leaders in the field have been previous participants in the School. With great dedication, Weinberg turned the School into one of the best in the world.
Professor Weinberg was a true friend of the State of Israel, and openly fought against scientific boycotts of Israel. He is an honored member of the generation of physics giants. May his memory be a blessing.