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Pierre Curie

PhysicistFrance

Nobel Prize WinnerScientist
Pierre Curie

Pierre Curie (1859-1906) was a French physicist and winner of the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Curie was born in Paris on May 15, 1859. He received much of his early education at home, where he showed an interest in mathematics. In 1878, Curie received a License in Physics from the Faculty of Sciences at the Sorbonne. He continued to research at the Sorbonne until 1883. At the Sorbonne, Curie conducted studies on the electric properties of crystals and discovered piezoelectricity with his brother Jacques.

Curie joined the faculty of École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles (Industrial Physics and Chemistry Higher Educational Institution) in Paris. He later obtained a Doctor of Science degree from ESPCI and was appointed Professor of Physics. In 1900, he became a professor in the Faculty of Sciences at the Sorbonne.

In 1895, Curie married fellow physicist Marie Curie (née Sklodowska). They began doing research on radioactive materials together following Henri Becquerel’s discovery of radioactivity in 1896. In 1898, the Curies announced the discovery of radium and polonium. Pierre also voluntarily exposed himself to radiation to test its effects in 1900, after hearing of a similar study conducted by Friedrich Giesel. In 1903, the Curies, along with Henri Becquerel, were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their research.

On April 19, 1906, a rainy day, Curie slipped and fell under a heavy horse-drawn wagon. He was killed instantly.

Marie was offered his post as a professor at the Sorbonne following his death. She became the first female to hold a professorship in France. Marie Curie died twenty-eight years after her husband as a result of excessive exposure to radiation.

Pierre Curie's Timeline
1859 May 15th Born in Paris, France.
1878 Received a License in Physics from the Sorbonne (University of Paris).
1880 Discovered piezoelectricity with his brother Jacques.
1883 Joined the faculty of École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles (ESCPI).
1895 Jul 26th Married Marie Curie (née Sklodowska).
1898 Discovered radium and polonium with his wife, Marie.
1903 Received the Nobel Prize in Physics with his wife and Henri Becquerel for their research on radioactivity.
1895 Received a Doctor of Science from ESPCI.
1900 Returned to the Sorbonne as a professor.
1906 Apr 19th Died in a street accident in Paris.

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