Leo Szilard was a Hungarian-American physicist and inventor, best known for his work in nuclear physics. Born on February 11, 1898, he played a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Szilard was instrumental in initiating the Manhattan Project, which led to the first nuclear weapons. In addition to his contributions to nuclear science, Szilard was an advocate for the responsible use of nuclear energy. He was concerned about the potential dangers of nuclear weapons and worked towards arms control. Szilard's legacy includes his efforts in both scientific innovation and ethical considerations in science.