December 15, 1852 Antoine entered the É cole

Polytechnique in 1872 and ultimately became

a professor of applied physics in the institute.

Radioactivity Studies:
Becquerel decided to investigate
whether there was any connection between
X-rays and naturally occurring
phosphorescence. The glow of X-ray emission
put Becquerel in mind of the light in his
doctorate study although he had not done as
much active research in the last few years. He had inherited from his father a
supply of uranium salts, which displayed phosphoresce when exposed to
light. When the salts were placed near to a photographic plate covered with
opaque paper, the plate was discovered to be fogged. Nowadays it is
generally considered that Becquerel discovered radioactivity by serendipity.
It is also known that Becquerel discovered one type of radioactivity, beta
particles, which are high-speed electrons leaving the nucleus of the atom. He
demonstrated in 1899 that beta particles were the same as the recently
identified electron.The unit of radioactivity, the becquerel (symbol: Bq) is
named in his honor.

Other Studies:
Becquerel also authored detailed studies of the physical properties of
cobalt, nickel, and ozone. He studied how crystals absorb light and
researched the polarization of light. Besides being a Nobel Laureate,
Becquerel was elected a member of the Academe des Sciences de France and
succeeded Berthelot as Life Secretary of that body. He was a member also of
the Accademia dei Lincei and of the Royal Academy of Berlin, amongst others.
He was also made an Officer of the Legion of Honor. Becquerel published his
findings in many papers, principally in the Annales de Physique et de Chimie
and the Comptes Rendus de l’Academie des Sciences.

https://www.famousscientists.org/henri-becquerel/
Antoine Henri Becquerel (1852-1908) was born in Paris on