FREE ESSAY ON MARIE CURIE

MARIE CURIE

MARIE CURIE
Marie Curie was born youngest of five children in Warsaw, Poland on November 7, 1867. She
was well-taught by both her mother, Bronsilawa, a teacher, and her father, Wladyslaw, a
professor of mathematics and physics. Marie continued her study of mathematical sciences
at the University of Paris in 1891. While working in distinguished laboratory of Gabriel
Lippman, she met her husband Pierre Curie.
"Their marriage (July 25, 1895) marked the start of a partnership that was soon to
achieve results of world significance, in particular the discovery of polonium in the
summer of 1898 and that of radium a few months later." (Science in Poland). The discovery
of the source of radioactivity as well as these highly radioactive elements won the
Curies the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics (Marie Curie) and Marie her doctorate of science
(Science in Poland). 
Pierre, weakened by his overexposure to radiation, died when he was hit by a car in 1906.
Although this was a devastating blow to Marie, it was the turning point in her career.
She dedicated all her time and energy to the scientific cause they had taken on together
and was determined to complete it alone. 
On May 13, 1906 she took over her husband's job of professor at Sorbonne University. From
this, her accomplishments continued to accumulate. In 1910 she published her findings
about radioactivity. 1911 was the year she won her second Nobel Prize. This time it was
in Chemistry for isolating pure radium and studying its chemical properties. She founded
the Radium Institute, a building of 
laboratories at the University of Paris, in 1914 and became the Institute's first
director. 
During the First World War made advancements in medicine. She thought X-rays would help
locate bullets and assist in surgery, so she contributed her knowledge of radioactivity
and invented X-ray vans. Along with this, she trained 150 nurses, making them able to
identify these bullets by studying the X-rays.
In 1921, Marie Curie ventured to the United States where President Warren G. Harding
greeted her. He presented her with a gram of radium bought with the proceeds from a
collection taken up by American women honoring her (Science in Poland). She gave lectures
in different parts of the world and was made a member of the International Commission on
Intellectual Cooperation by the Council of the League of Nations. 
On July 4, 1934, Marie Sklodowska-Curie died of leukemia caused by her constant exposure
to radium. Two years before her death, she had the pleasure of seeing the Curie
Foundation in Paris develop. Along with this was another great feat, her ashes were
enshrined in the Pantheon in Paris.
Marie Curie paved the way in science for both men and women. She earned two Nobel Prizes,
the title of "celebrated scientist" (Science in Poland), discovered radium and polonium
and was a significant figure in the development of radioactivity. She was a role model
not only for women but also for mankind. Marie Curie won the hearts of millions,
including Albert Einstein. He once said, 
"Marie Curie is, of all celebrated beings, the one whom fame has not corrupted. (Science
in Poland).
Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Marie Curie - Polish/French Physicist" 19 September 2000.
"Science in Poland - Maria Sklodowska-Curie" 17 September 2000.