Marie Curie: A Pioneer in

Science
Her life, work and legacy
Early Life
Born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw. In 1891, Marie moved to
Paris to continue her education. At the time, Paris was a hub for
scientific and intellectual advancement, making it an ideal destination
for aspiring scientists.
Discovery of Radioactivity
In 1898, the Curies discovered the existence of the
elements radium and polonium. On April 20, 1902, Marie
and Pierre Curie successfully isolate radioactive radium salts
in their laboratory in Paris.
Applications of Radioactivity
During World War I, Curie promoted the use of X-rays; she
developed radiological cars - which later became known as “petites
Curies” - to allow battlefield surgeons to X-ray wounded soldiers and
operate more accurately.
Radioactive elements like radium and later isotopes like cobalt-60
were used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
1903: Nobel Prize in Physics
In December 1903 the Royal
Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded
Pierre Curie, Marie Curie and Henri
Becquerel the Nobel Prize in Physics, "in
recognition of the extraordinary services
they have rendered by their joint
researches on the radiation phenomena
discovered by professor Henri
Becquerel.”
1911: Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Her determination and remarkable
endeavours led to a second Nobel Prize in 1911,
this time in Chemistry for “her services to the
advancement of chemistry by the discovery of the
elements radium and polonium”. Marie Curie was
the first person to win two Nobel Prizes, and
remains until today with Linus Pauling as Nobel
laureates in two fields each.
End of a Remarkable Life
On 4 July 1934, she died aged 66,
from aplastic anemia believed to have been
contracted from her long-term exposure to
radiation, causing damage to her bone marrow.
She had carried test tubes containing
radioactive isotopes in her pocket and she
stored them in her desk drawer, remarking on
the faint light that the substances gave off in
the dark.
The Curie Legacy
The physical and societal aspects of
the Curie’s work contributed to shaping the
world of the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries.
She was known for her honesty and
moderate lifestyle. Having received a small
scholarship in 1893, she returned it in 1897
as soon as she began earning her keep.
"I am one of those who think like Nobel,
that humanity will draw more good than
evil from new discoveries."
Bibliography

• https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1903/marie-curie/
biographical/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie#World_War_I
• https://www.nps.gov/people/manhattan-project-pioneers-marie-
curie.html
• https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/who/our-history/marie-curie-the-
scientist