Marie Curie Short Biography Essay Example

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a nobel prize. She worked most of her life to learn more about radiation and radioactive materials. Many scientists were influenced by her work and went on to continue her studies on radiation. In a small, broken down  lab with her husband, Marie Curie would work countless hours to learn more about radioactive materials. Over the years she would discover two elements and win two Nobel prizes. Her work has contributed so much to modern day science and what we know about radioactivity.

To start, Marie Curie was born as Maria Sklodowska on November 7, 1867. She went to school at the local school and learned about science from her father. In the year 1891 she traveled to Paris to continue her studies in science. While she was there she got a license in physics and mathematical science. Marie met Pierre Curie in 1894 and married him on July 25,  1895. (britannica.com) After that she became the head of the physics laboratory. Her and Pierre had a child in 1897 and named her Iréne. She then got her doctor of science degree in 1903. She also won half a Nobel prize in 1903. On December 6, 1904 Marie Curie had another child named Éve Curie. 

Her research with Pierre was done in poor conditions. When Henri Becquerel discovered radiation Marie and Pierre Curie were inspired to continue his work and learn more about radiation. Her work led to the discovery of polonium and radium. To work to isolate radium, Marie and Pierre got several tons of a material called pitchblende and got to work extracting pure radium from it. The work was very hard and she only got a very small amount of radium from the pitchblende. During their work she and Pierre were getting very ill and it is now known that this was from the radiation they were exposed to. Then, in 1906 Peirre was killed in a tragic accident with a horse and cart. Marie Curie continued with her work and tried to learn more about radiation. Throughout her life, Marie would encourage the use of radium to cure any pain. During World War 1, her and her daughter Iréne helped injured soldiers. In 1911, Marie Curie won another Nobel prize for chemistry. (nobelprize.org) She was the first person ever to win two Nobel prizes. Together, with her husband, they also won the Davy Medal of the Royal Society.

Later in her life Marie still continued her work with radiation. In 1929, President Hoover awarded her with $50,000 dollars from various scientists around the United States. They gave it to her so she could buy radium for her laboratory. In 1922, Marie became a member of the Committee of Intellectual Co-operation of the League of Nations and was also a part of the Conseil du Physique Solvay until her death. (nobelprize.org) Later she would return to Poland to witness the foundation be laid for the Radium Institute that was to be directed by her sister. Then, on July 4, 1934 Marie Curie sadly passed away from aplastic anemia at the Sancellemoz Sanatorium in Passay, France. She was 66 years old.

In conclusion, Marie Curie influenced the world of science in many ways. She went to Paris to finish her schooling. She finished her schooling and started her research in radiation. She discovered radium and polonium with her husband. Later in her life she helped wounded soldiers in World War One and died from aplastic anemia. Marie Curie was a devoted scientist who contributed to the world in great ways.