Pierre Curie (/ˈkjʊəri/, KEWR-ee;[1] French: [pjɛʁ kyʁi]; 15 May 1859 – 19 April

1906) was a French physicist, a pioneer in crystallography, magnetism,

piezoelectricity, and radioactivity. In 1903, he received the Nobel Prize in
Physics with his wife, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, and Henri Becquerel, "in recognition
of the extraordinary services they have rendered by their joint researches on the
radiation phenomena discovered by Professor Henri Becquerel".[2]

Born in Paris on 15 May 1859, Pierre Curie was the son of Eugène Curie (28 August
1827 – 25 February 1910), a doctor of French Huguenot Protestant origin from
Alsace, and Sophie-Claire Depouilly Curie (15 January 1832 – 27 September 1897). He
was educated by his father and in his early teens showed a strong aptitude for
mathematics and geometry. When he was 16, he earned his math degree.[clarification
needed] By the age of 18, he earned a higher degree, but did not proceed
immediately to a doctorate due to lack of money. Instead, he worked as a laboratory
instructor.[3] When Pierre Curie was preparing for his bachelor of science degree,
he worked in the laboratory of Jean-Gustave Bourbouze in the Faculty of Science.[4]
Pierre and Marie Skłodowska-Curie, 1895

In 1880, Pierre and his older brother Jacques (1856–1941) demonstrated that an
electric potential was generated when crystals were compressed, i.e.
piezoelectricity.[5] To aid this work they invented the piezoelectric quartz
electrometer.[6] The following year they demonstrated the reverse effect: that
crystals could be made to deform when subject to an electric field.[5] Almost all
digital electronic circuits now rely on this in the form of crystal oscillators.[7]
In subsequent work on magnetism Pierre Curie defined the Curie scale.[8] This work
also involved delicate equipment - balances, electrometers, etc.[9]

Pierre Curie was introduced to Maria Skłodowska by their friend, physicist Józef
Wierusz-Kowalski.[10] Curie took her into his laboratory as his student. His
admiration for her grew when he realized that she would not inhibit his research.
He began to regard Skłodowska as his muse.[11] She refused his initial proposal,
but finally agreed to marry him on 26 July 1895.[3][12]

It would be a beautiful thing, a thing I dare not hope if we could spend our
life near each other, hypnotized by our dreams: your patriotic dream, our
humanitarian dream, and our scientific dream. [Pierre Curie to Maria Skłodowska]
[3]:117

The Curies had a happy, affectionate marriage, and they were known for their
devotion to each other.[13]