Benjamin Clinton Diven was born January 5, 1919 in Chico, California. Benjamin married Rebecca M. (née Bradford) on June 30, 1951 and had three children: David Clinton, Mary Rebecca, Susan B.

Diven obtainted his Artium Baccalaurens from the University of California located in Berkeley, California. Diven then obtained his masters of science and doctor of phiolosophy from the University of Illinois.

Diven was a scientific advisor for Nevada Operations Office (NVOO) and a scientist for the Los Alamos National Lab (LANL).