Alexander Sachs

Alexander Sachs
Born	Template:Birth date Rossien, Russian Empire (present-day Raseiniai, Lithuania)
Died	June 23, 1973(1973-06-23) (aged 79)
Occupation(s)	Economist, banker
Known for	Advising President Franklin D. Roosevelt on nuclear-fission research and the Manhattan Project

Alexander Sachs (August 1, 1893 – June 23, 1973) was a prominent American economist and banker. In October 1939, he personally handed the Einstein–Szilard letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, urging the advancement of nuclear-fission research aimed at developing nuclear weapons, motivated by concerns that Nazi Germany might be pursuing similar technology. This action contributed significantly to the launch of the United States' Manhattan Project.

Life and career

Originally from Rossien, located in the Russian Empire (present-day Raseiniai, Lithuania), Sachs immigrated to the United States in 1904. His academic journey included studies at Townsend Harris High School, City College of New York, and Columbia College, Columbia University.

Sachs entered the financial sector in 1913, starting in the municipal bond division at investment firm Lee, Higginson & Co.. By 1915, he resumed his education as a graduate student at Harvard College and subsequently joined the faculty at Princeton University.

Between 1918 and 1921, he served as an advisor on Middle Eastern international affairs to Justice Louis Brandeis and the Zionist Organization of America during the post-World War I peace discussions.

From 1922 through 1929, Sachs worked as an economist and investment analyst for Walter Eugene Meyer, focusing on equity acquisitions. He later established and led Economics Investment Research at Lehman Corporation, an investment company affiliated with Lehman Brothers. He became a member of Lehman’s board in 1931, held the vice president position from 1936 until 1943, and continued serving on the board until his passing at age 79.

In 1933, Sachs headed economic research efforts for the National Recovery Administration. He also participated in the National Policy Committee in 1936. During World War II, he provided counsel to the Petroleum Industry War Council and acted as special counsel to the director of the Office of Strategic Services.

His achievements in economics and public service were recognized in 1971 when he was honored with the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award.

Family

Sachs was married to Charlotte Cramer Sachs (1907–2004), a German-born artist, inventor, and businesswoman.

Atomic bomb

As a trusted advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt, Sachs played an instrumental role in gaining presidential backing for what would become the Manhattan Project.

In July 1939, physicists Leo Szilard and Eugene Wigner enlisted Albert Einstein to communicate with Belgian authorities regarding safeguarding uranium deposits from Nazi Germany. Subsequently, Szilard approached Sachs to secure approval from the U.S. State Department for a letter calling for urgent action.

Choosing to deliver the letter himself to Roosevelt, Sachs collaborated with Szilard to broaden its scope by requesting government funding for atomic research within the United States. The updated letter bore Einstein’s signature and was presented directly by Sachs to Roosevelt.

As detailed in Brighter Than A Thousand Suns, Sachs met Roosevelt twice during October 1939. Initially met with skepticism, Sachs returned the following day sharing a story about Robert Fulton and Napoleon that emphasized foresight and decisive leadership. This convinced Roosevelt to take the threat seriously and commit resources accordingly.

In December 1944, Sachs recounted a discussion with Roosevelt concerning ethical considerations surrounding the inaugural use of the atomic bomb. He proposed demonstrating its power prior to actual deployment; however, this suggestion was ultimately rejected. Early 1945 decisions by the "Interim Committee" favored direct use without prior demonstration.

References

• Alexander Sachs Collection, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
• Hailey, Jean R., "Alexander Sachs, 79, Noted Economist, Passes Away," The Washington Post, June 28, 1973
• Hakim, Joy, A History of Us: War, Peace and all that Jazz, Oxford University Press, 1995
• Jungk, Robert, Brighter than a Thousand Suns: The Story of the Men Who Made The Bomb, translated by James Cleugh, Grove Press, 1958