Marie Curie

Marie Skłodowska Curie was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, which was part of the Congress Poland in the Russian Empire. She would go on to become a renowned physicist and chemist, and a pioneer in the study of radioactivity. Her groundbreaking work earned her two Nobel Prizes, one in Physics and one in Chemistry, making her the first person and only woman to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields.

In 1891, at the age of 24, Marie Curie moved to Paris to pursue her studies in physics and mathematics at the University of Paris (Sorbonne). This marked the beginning of her scientific career in France, where she would later meet her husband, Pierre Curie, and conduct her pioneering research on radioactivity.

Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, alongside her husband Pierre Curie and physicist Henri Becquerel, for their combined research on the phenomenon of radiation. Despite the nomination being initially overlooked, Pierre's insistence resulted in Marie being recognized as a key contributor to the discovery, making her the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize.

Pierre Curie tragically died in a street accident in Paris on April 19, 1906. His death was a devastating blow to Marie Curie, both personally and professionally, as he was not only her husband but also her closest collaborator. Despite her grief, Marie continued their scientific work, eventually succeeding him as the first female professor at the University of Paris.

In 1911, Marie Curie was awarded her second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for her discovery of the elements radium and polonium, and her investigation of their properties. This achievement made her the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering scientist in the field of radioactivity.

With the outbreak of World War I, Marie Curie recognized the potential of using X-ray technology to assist battlefield surgeons. She developed mobile radiology units, known as "Little Curies," which were vehicles equipped with X-ray machines. These units played a crucial role in diagnosing battlefield injuries, significantly impacting war-time medicine and saving countless lives.

After the war, Marie Curie founded the Radium Institute (now known as the Curie Institute) in Paris in 1918. The institute became one of the most important centers for medical research and training in Europe and contributed significantly to the development of oncology. Marie Curie's vision and dedication helped establish the institute as a leading scientific research center.

In May 1921, Marie Curie embarked on a trip to the United States, where she was welcomed as a scientific heroine. The visit was aimed at raising funds for the purchase of radium for her research. American women, led by journalist Marie Mattingly Meloney, had raised money to buy Curie a gram of radium, highlighting the international recognition and support for her scientific endeavors.

Marie Curie died on July 4, 1934, in the Sancellemoz sanatorium in Passy, France, due to aplastic anemia believed to have been caused by prolonged exposure to radiation. Her pioneering research not only advanced the field of radioactivity but also laid the groundwork for future scientific discoveries. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists worldwide.

On April 20, 1995, Marie Curie's remains were moved to the Panthéon in Paris, making her the first woman to be honored with a burial there based on her own achievements. This reinterment was a significant recognition of her contributions to science and her status as one of the most distinguished scientists of her time.