MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE

*Marie Skłodowska Curie Biografi

*Marie Skłodowska Curie (1867 – 1934)* was a Polish‑French physicist and chemist who pioneered research on *radioactivity*, a term she coined. First woman to win a Nobel Prize, and *the only person to win in two sciences* (Physics 1911, Chemistry 1911), her discoveries laid foundations for nuclear physics, cancer treatment, and modern chemistry.

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Early Life & Education
- *Born 7 November 1867*, *Warsaw, Kingdom of Poland (then Russian Empire)*, to *Władysław Skłodowski*, a physics teacher, and *Bronisława Boguska*, a pianist.
- Lost mother early; worked as a governess to fund sister *Bronisława’s* medical studies in Paris.
- 1891: Moved to *Paris*, enrolled at *Sorbonne (University of Paris)*. Earned *Licenciate in Physics (1893)* (first in class) and *Mathematics (1894)* (second).

Meeting Pierre Curie & Early Research
- 1894: Met *Pierre Curie*, professor at _École de Physique et Chimie Industrielles_. Married 26 July 1895; partnership became both personal and scientific.
- 1897: Began doctoral research on *“uranium rays”* (Henri Becquerel’s discovery). Discovered that *thorium also emitted rays*, coining *“radioactivity.”*
- *Pitchblende (uranium ore)* experiments → isolated two new elements: *Polonium (Po, 84)* (named for her native Poland) and *Radium (Ra, 88)* (1898).

Nobel Prizes
- *1903 Nobel Prize in Physics* (shared with *Pierre Curie* and *Henri Becquerel*) – “_for their joint researches on the radiation phenomena discovered by Professor Henri Becquerel_.”
- *1906:* Tragedy – Pierre died in a carriage accident. Marie succeeded his chair at Sorbonne, *first woman professor*.
- *1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry* – “_for her discovery of radium and polonium, the isolation of radium and the study of the nature and compounds of this remarkable element_.”

World War I & Radiography
- 1914‑1918: Developed *mobile X‑ray units (“Petites Curies”)* for battlefield surgeons. Trained 150 women as technicians; over 1 million wounded examined.

Radium Institute & Later Life
- Founded *Institut du Radium (Radium Institute)* in Paris (1914), later split into *Institut Curie* (cancer research) and *Institut du Radium*.
- 1922: Elected to *Académie de Médecine*, first woman member.
- *Health decline:* Long exposure to radiation caused *aplastic anemia*.
- *Died 4 July 1934*, *Sancellemoz sanatorium (France)*; buried beside Pierre in *Panthéon, Paris* (1995).

Legacy
- *Two Nobel Prizes* (Physics 1903, Chemistry 1911).
- *First female professor at Sorbonne*, first woman in French Academy of Medicine.
- *Curie (Ci)* unit of radioactivity named after her.
- *Marie Curie Fellowships* (EU) for early‑career researchers.
- *Impact:* Cancer radiotherapy (Radium therapy), discovery of isotopes, foundation of nuclear physics.

Challenges & Personality
- Facing *sexism*, she persevered, refusing to patent radium processes (kept research open).
- Modest, intensely focused, believed science should serve humanity.

*≈ 505 words*

Sources: Nobel Prize archives, _Madame Curie_ (Eve Curie, biography), Institut Curie website.