Jean Tatlock

Jean Tatlock (February 21, 1914 – January 4, 1944) was an American psychiatrist and physician. She was a member of the Communist Party USA and had a significant relationship with J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientific director of the Manhattan Project.

Early Life

Jean Frances Tatlock was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to John Strong Perry Tatlock, a professor of English at the University of Michigan, and Marjorie Tatlock. She had one brother, Hugh Tatlock. The family moved to Berkeley, California, where her father took a position at the University of California, Berkeley.

Education

Tatlock attended Vassar College, where she majored in English literature. She later enrolled at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree. During her time at UCSF, she became involved with the Communist Party USA.

Career

After completing her medical degree, Tatlock worked as a psychiatrist at Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco. She was known for her work in psychiatry and her dedication to her patients.

Relationship with J. Robert Oppenheimer

Tatlock met J. Robert Oppenheimer in 1936, and the two developed a close relationship. Oppenheimer was deeply influenced by Tatlock's political views and her involvement with the Communist Party USA. Their relationship was complex and had a significant impact on Oppenheimer's life and career.

Political Involvement

Tatlock was an active member of the Communist Party USA during the 1930s and early 1940s. Her political activities and associations were closely monitored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), especially due to her connection with Oppenheimer.

Death

Jean Tatlock died on January 4, 1944, in her apartment in San Francisco. Her death was ruled a suicide by drowning. The circumstances surrounding her death have been the subject of much speculation and controversy.

Legacy

Tatlock's life and her relationship with Oppenheimer have been the subject of various books and films. Her influence on Oppenheimer and her involvement with the Communist Party USA continue to be topics of historical interest.

See Also

• J. Robert Oppenheimer
• Communist Party USA
• Manhattan Project
• University of California, San Francisco
• Vassar College