Abstract
This article describes and analyzes the role played by Chaim Weizmann on the eve of World War I in laying the ground work for a Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Weizmann's activities are outlined against the background of the changing circumstances in the leadership of the World Zionist Organization, the role of American and European philanthropists and the situation in the Jewish community in Palestine. The article highlights Weizmann's skills as a diplomat who navigates carefully between a variety of institutions and individuals who often have opposing views as to the aims and purpose of a Jewish university. It clearly establishes that Weizmann was the moving force and guiding light, who ably cristallized the various plans into one coherent scheme acceptable to all concerned. The article is based on a variety of primary and archival sources, located in Israel and the United States (pages 123-146).