Marie Sklodowska Curie
Physicist
1867-1934
Maria (Marie Fr.) Sklodowska-Curie (born in
Warsaw, Poland, on November 7, 1867) was one
of the first woman scientists to win worldwide
fame, and indeed, one of the great scientists of
this century. She had degrees in mathematics
and physics. Winner of two Nobel Prizes, for
Physics in 1903 and for Chemistry in 1911, she
performed pioneering studies with radium and
polonium and contributed profoundly to the
understanding of radioactivity.
A truly remarkable figure
in the history of science
Perhaps the most famous of all women scientists, Maria
Sklodowska-Curie is notable for her many firsts:
※ She was the first to use the term radioactivity for
this phenomenon.
※ She was the first woman in Europe to receive her
doctorate of science.
※ In 1903, she became the first woman to win a Nobel
Prize for Physics. The award, jointly awarded to
Curie, her husband Pierre, and Henri Becquerel,
was for the discovery of radioactivity.
※ She was also the first female lecturer, professor and
head of Laboratory at the Sorbonne University in
Paris (1906).
※ In 1911, she won an unprecedented second Nobel
Prize (this time in chemistry) for her discovery and
isolation of pure radium and radium components.
She was the first person ever to receive two Nobel
Prizes.
※ She was the first mother-Nobel Prize Laureate of
daughter-Nobel Prize Laureate. Her oldest daughter
Irene Joliot-Curie also won a Nobel Prize for
Chemistry (1935).
※She is the first woman which has been laid to rest
under the famous dome of the Pantheon in Paris for
her own merits.
She received 15 gold medals, 19 degrees, and other
honors.
Marie Curie
Pierre Curie
Albert Einstein once said of her:
"Marie Curie is, of all celebrated
beings, the one whom fame has not
corrupted."
Quotes of Maria Sklodowska Curie:
A scientist in his laboratory is not
a mere technician: he is also a
child confronting natural
phenomena that impress him as
though they were fairy tales.
More quotes:
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is
only to be understood.
One never notices what has been
done; one can only see what
remains to be done.
You cannot hope to build a better world
without improving the individuals.
To that end, each of us must work for our
own improvement and, at the same
time, share a general responsibility for all
humanity, our particular duty being
to aid those to whom we think we can be
most useful.
---- Marie Curie
First Solvary Conference 1911
(Photo includes Marie Curie and Albert Einstein.)
Nuclear Physics Congress, Rome, 1931
Nuclear Physics Congress, Rome, 1931
A Pop Quiz
True or False questions:
1. Marie Curie was born in France.
2. Marie Curie is noted for her studies with
radium and radioactivity.
3. Marie Curie won a Nobel Prize for physics with
two other persons.
4. Albert Einstein was the first person ever to receive
two Nobel Prizes.
5. Marie Curie’s older daughter also won a Nobel
Prize for chemistry.
6. Marie Curie was buried in the Pantheon in Paris.
7. It is Marie Curie’s belief that there is no need
to understand what is feared.
8. Despite her achievements, Marie Curie kept
her fame intact.
9. According to Marie Curie, we cannot improve
the individuals before we create a better world.
10. Marie Curie fount it a responsibility for all to
help those to whom we can be of service.
Check how well have you done!
True or False questions:
1. Marie Curie was born in France.
F
2. Marie Curie is noted for her studies with
radium and radioactivity. T
3. Marie Curie won a Nobel Prize for physics with
two other persons.
T
4. Albert Einstein was the first person ever to receive
two Nobel Prizes.
F
5. Marie Curie’s older daughter also won a Nobel
Prize for chemistry.
T
6. Marie Curie was buried in the Pantheon in Paris. T
7. It is Marie Curie’s belief that there is no need
to understand what is feared. F
8. Despite her achievements, Marie Curie kept
her fame intact. T
9. According to Marie Curie, we cannot improve
the individuals before we create a better world. F
10. Marie Curie fount it a responsibility for all to
help those to whom we can be of service. T
Now you have had a better
understanding of the life of Marie Curie.