Portrait of Science. Scientist, technologist, proto-feminist, superstar.
Although Marie Curie is known primarily for her discovery of radium, her true gift to science was her realization that radioactivity is an intrinsic atomic property of matter rather than the result of chemical processes. She was one of the few Nobel laureates to win the prize twice (physics and chemistry). During her career and as one of the first prominent women scientists, she became increasingly aware of the need for funding for research and of the scientific freedom that money can bring. By nature shy and reserved, Marie's fame, as both a scientist and as an exemplar of a liberated professional woman of the roaring twenties, grew to superstar proportions.
Macklis
Roger M
RM
Department of Radiation Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. macklis@radonc.ccf.org
D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000266:history; D019513:Feminism / Q000266:history; D005602:France; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009613:Nobel Prize; D011044:Poland; D011871:Radiology / Q000266:history; D011883:Radium / Q000266:history*; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000266:history
D011883:Radium