Hirschfelder was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a Jewish couple, Arthur Douglas and May Rosalie (Straus). He completed his undergraduate studies at the
University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929 and at
Yale University from 1929 to 1931. Hirschfelder received doctorates in
physics and
chemistry from
Princeton University He was an elected member of the
International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. His book
Molecular theory of gases and liquids is an authoritative text on the kinetic theories of gases and liquids. plutonium gun test casings at
Wendover Army Air Field, as part of
Project Alberta in the
Manhattan Project. A
Fat Man casing can be seen behind them. ==Publications==