The Science Strategy
Epstein donated strategic amounts to scientific institutions and individual researchers, cultivating identity as a science philanthropist that offset perceptions of his criminal record. He spoke publicly about theoretical physics and evolutionary biology.
Stephen Hawking
Hawking attended at least one scientific conference hosted by Epstein at Little Saint James. References to the Cambridge physicist’s participation in Epstein events appeared in media coverage following the 2015 civil filings.
Marvin Minsky
MIT AI pioneer Marvin Minsky — widely considered a founder of artificial intelligence — was named by Virginia Giuffre in a civil deposition. She alleged Maxwell directed her to have sex with Minsky at Epstein’s island. Minsky died in 2016. His family denied the allegations.
The USVI Science Conferences
Epstein hosted annual scientific conferences at Little Saint James, bringing together physicists and biologists for multi-day retreats — giving him extended personal access to leading researchers and a prestigious association for his public profile.