Lewis Lichtenstein Strauss (January 31, 1896 – January 21, 1974) (pronounced "straws" /ˈstrɔːz/) was a Jewish American businessman, philanthropist, public official, and naval officer. He was a major figure in the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear power in the United States.Strauss was the driving force in the hearings, held in April 1954 before a U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Personnel Security Board, in which J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance was revoked.