Marie Curie, a Polish-French physicist and chemist, was a trailblazer in radioactivity research. She achieved numerous milestones, including being the first woman and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two distinct scientific fields. Her first Nobel Prize was shared with her husband, Pierre Curie, marking the first time a married couple received this honor. Curie's legacy extends beyond her groundbreaking research, as she paved the way for women in science by becoming the first female professor at the University of Paris in 1906.
1900: First Woman Faculty Member at the École Normale Supérieure
Continuing to break barriers in academia, Marie Curie became the first woman faculty member at the École Normale Supérieure in 1900. In the same year, her husband Pierre Curie joined the faculty at the University of Paris.
1902: Isolation of Radium Salt
In 1902, after painstaking efforts, the Curies successfully isolated a tenth of a gram of radium chloride from a ton of pitchblende, marking a significant step in their research.
1902: Discovery of Radium's Effect on Tumor Cells
In 1902, the Curies published a significant finding: diseased cells, particularly tumor-forming cells, were destroyed at a faster rate than healthy cells when exposed to radium. This discovery opened up new possibilities for cancer treatment.
1902: Visit to Poland
Marie Curie returned to her native Poland in 1902, a visit prompted by her father's passing.
June 1903: Doctorate and Invitation to the Royal Institution
June 1903 marked a significant month for Marie Curie. Under the supervision of Gabriel Lippmann, she received her doctorate from the University of Paris. Additionally, she and Pierre were invited to the prestigious Royal Institution in London to deliver a speech on radioactivity. However, due to her gender, Marie was not permitted to speak, and Pierre delivered the address alone.
December 1903: Nobel Prize in Physics and Recognition
In December 1903, Marie Curie made history by becoming the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize. She shared the award in Physics with her husband, Pierre Curie, and Henri Becquerel. Their groundbreaking research on radiation phenomena, discovered by Becquerel, earned them this prestigious honor. Notably, Marie's inclusion in the prize was not initially planned but was secured after a committee member, Magnus Gösta Mittag-Leffler, championed her contributions.
1903: Nobel Prize in Physics
Marie Curie, along with her husband Pierre Curie and physicist Henri Becquerel, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 for their groundbreaking work on radioactivity, a term coined by Marie Curie herself.
December 1904: Birth of Ève Curie
Marie and Pierre Curie welcomed their second daughter, Ève, in December 1904. Maintaining a strong connection to her Polish heritage, Marie ensured that her daughters were taught Polish and facilitated their visits to Poland.
1905: Nobel Lecture and Recognition
Although initially hesitant, Marie and Pierre Curie eventually traveled to Stockholm in 1905 to deliver their Nobel lecture, a requirement for laureates. The prize money enabled them to hire their first laboratory assistant. This period also saw the University of Paris offering Pierre Curie a professorship and the chair of physics, likely prompted by the Nobel Prize win and an offer from the University of Geneva.
April 1906: Pierre Curie's Death
In a tragic accident in April 1906, Pierre Curie was killed instantly when he was hit by a horse-drawn vehicle.
May 1906: Offered Pierre's Chair at the University of Paris
In May 1906, shortly after Pierre's death, Marie Curie was offered his chair at the University of Paris, making her the first woman to hold a professorship there.
1906: New Laboratory at the University of Paris
Despite offering Pierre Curie a professorship, the University of Paris initially did not provide the Curies with a proper laboratory. After Pierre's protest, the university finally agreed to furnish a new laboratory, although it was not ready for use until 1906.
1906: First Woman Professor at the University of Paris
In a significant milestone for women in academia, Marie Curie became the first woman to attain a professorship at the University of Paris in 1906.
1906: Pierre Curie's Death
Tragedy struck in 1906 when Pierre Curie, Marie's husband and research partner, died in a street accident in Paris.
1909: Initiative for the Radium Institute
In 1909, disappointed by the lack of support from the University of Paris in providing Curie a proper laboratory, Pierre Paul Émile Roux, director of the Pasteur Institute, suggested she continue her research there.
1910: Isolation of Pure Radium Metal
Marie Curie achieved a groundbreaking feat in 1910 when she successfully isolated pure radium metal.
1910: Isolation of Radium and International Standard for Radioactive Emissions
In 1910, Marie Curie achieved the isolation of radium. Furthermore, she established an international standard for radioactive emissions, which was later named the "curie" in honor of her and Pierre.
1911: Denied Membership in the French Academy of Sciences
Despite her groundbreaking contributions to science, in 1911, Marie Curie was denied membership in the French Academy of Sciences. Instead, Édouard Branly, who assisted Guglielmo Marconi in developing the wireless telegraph, was elected.
1911: Advocacy for a Radium Institute and Health Struggles
Following her second Nobel Prize, Curie used her platform to advocate for the creation of a Radium Institute dedicated to the study of radioactivity. However, amidst professional successes and personal turmoil, Curie experienced health problems, suffering from depression and a kidney ailment.
1911: Second Nobel Prize in Chemistry
In 1911, Curie was awarded her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, recognizing her discovery of radium and polonium and further research into their properties. Despite facing backlash for the Langevin scandal, Curie asserted that her personal life and scientific achievements were separate and deserved to be recognized as such.
1911: Scandal and Public Backlash
In 1911, Curie's personal life became the subject of a press scandal when her affair with the married physicist Paul Langevin came to light. The scandal was fueled by gender bias and xenophobia, with Curie being misrepresented in the media.
1911: Nobel Prize in Chemistry
In 1911, Marie Curie's groundbreaking research earned her a second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry. She was honored for her discovery of the elements polonium and radium, achieved through her innovative techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes.
1911: Marie Curie's Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The play "The Half-Life of Marie Curie" centers around the aftermath of Curie's 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, a pivotal moment in her career.
1912: Declining Directorship and Seeking Recuperation
In 1912, Curie made the decision to decline the directorship of a new laboratory in Warsaw to focus on her work in France. However, the ongoing negativity surrounding the Langevin scandal and her deteriorating health forced her to take a break from public life and research for most of the year.
1912: Declining Directorship in Warsaw
In 1912, the Warsaw Scientific Society extended an offer to Curie for the directorship of a new laboratory, but she declined to further her research at the Radium Institute.
1913: Visit to Poland
Curie traveled to Poland in 1913, where her presence was largely disregarded by Russian authorities.
1914: Establishment of the Radium Institute
In 1914, the Radium Institute, a long-held aspiration of Curie's, was finally established with her at its helm. This marked a pivotal moment in her career, providing a dedicated space for research in radioactivity.
1914: Contribution to War Efforts with Mobile Radiography Units
Recognizing the urgent need for medical advancements on the battlefield during World War I, Curie spearheaded the development of mobile radiography units, known as "Petites Curies." These units brought X-ray technology closer to the front lines, greatly improving medical care for wounded soldiers.
1915: Development of Sterilization Techniques using Radium
In 1915, Curie's tireless efforts in aiding the war effort continued with her development of a groundbreaking sterilization technique using "radium emanation." This technique utilized radon, a radioactive gas emitted by radium, to sterilize infected tissue, saving countless lives on the battlefield.
1919: Resumption of Activities at the Radium Institute
After a hiatus caused by the war, the Radium Institute, under Curie's leadership, resumed its full range of activities in 1919, becoming a center for advancements in chemistry, physics, and medicine.
1919: Publication of "Radiology in War"
In 1919, Curie shared her invaluable experiences and insights from her time working with mobile radiography units during the war in her book, "Radiology in War." This publication served as a testament to her dedication and contributions to wartime medicine.
1920: Founding of the Curie Institute in Paris
Driven by her dedication to scientific advancement and its medical applications, Marie Curie established the Curie Institute in Paris in 1920. The institute continues to be a leading center for medical research.
1920: Government Stipend as Recognition for Scientific Contributions
In 1920, in a gesture that underscored the profound impact of her scientific work, the French government granted Curie a stipend, a prestigious honor previously bestowed upon renowned scientist Louis Pasteur.
1921: U.S. Presidential Visit and Recognition
In 1921, Marie Curie was invited to the White House by U.S. President Warren G. Harding, where she received 1 gram of radium collected in the United States. The First Lady praised her as a role model for women in professional achievement and family life. This event highlighted Curie's growing international fame and recognition.
1921: Fundraising Tour in the United States
In 1921, Curie embarked on a tour of the United States, where she was greeted with admiration and respect. The purpose of her trip was to raise funds for her continued radium research.
August 1922: Appointment to the League of Nations' International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation
Marie Curie's commitment to international scientific collaboration led to her appointment to the League of Nations' newly established International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation in August 1922.
1922: Fellowship of the French Academy of Medicine and International Lectures
In 1922, Marie Curie achieved further recognition for her contributions to science by becoming a fellow of the French Academy of Medicine. She also embarked on international travels, delivering lectures in Belgium, Brazil, Spain, and Czechoslovakia, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in the scientific community.
1923: Publication of "Pierre Curie"
In 1923, Marie Curie published a biography of her late husband, titled "Pierre Curie," offering a personal and intimate perspective on his life and scientific contributions.
1929: Second American Tour and Support for the Warsaw Radium Institute
During her second American tour in 1929, Marie Curie successfully secured radium for the Warsaw Radium Institute, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to its establishment and her ability to leverage her influence for scientific advancement.
1930: Election to the International Atomic Weights Committee
In 1930, Marie Curie's expertise in chemistry was further acknowledged through her election to the International Atomic Weights Committee, where she served until her death, underscoring her lasting impact on the field.
1931: Cameron Prize for Therapeutics from the University of Edinburgh
Marie Curie's significant contributions to therapeutic applications of her research were honored in 1931 when she received the prestigious Cameron Prize for Therapeutics from the University of Edinburgh.
1932: Founding of the Curie Institute in Warsaw
In 1932, Marie Curie spearheaded the establishment of the Curie Institute in Warsaw, her birthplace. This institute also stands as a testament to her legacy and commitment to scientific research.
1932: Founding of the Radium Institute
Marie Skłodowska founded the Radium Institute in 1932.
1932: Opening of the Warsaw Radium Institute
The Warsaw Radium Institute, a testament to Marie Curie's vision and efforts, officially opened in 1932 with her sister Bronisława as its director.
July 1934: Marie Curie's Death
Marie Curie passed away in July 1934 at the age of 66 at the Sancellemoz sanatorium in Passy, France. Her death was attributed to aplastic anemia, likely caused by her prolonged exposure to radiation during her research and work with X-ray units.
July 1934: Death of Marie Curie
On July 4, 1934, Marie Curie passed away at the age of 66 at the Sancellemoz sanatorium in Passy, Haute-Savoie, France. Her death was attributed to aplastic anemia, a disease linked to her prolonged exposure to radiation during her groundbreaking scientific work.
1934: Marie Curie's Death
Marie Curie died in 1934 at the age of 66. Her death, attributed to aplastic anemia, was likely a result of her long-term exposure to radiation during her pioneering work in radioactivity.
1934: Conclusion of Work with the League of Nations
Marie Curie actively participated in the League of Nations' International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation until 1934, working alongside renowned researchers like Albert Einstein, Hendrik Lorentz, and Henri Bergson.
1935: Statue of Marie Skłodowska
A statue of Marie Skłodowska was erected in 1935 in front of the Radium Institute, which she had founded in 1932.
1935: Posthumous Publication of "Radioactivity"
Marie Curie's final scientific work, the book "Radioactivity," was published posthumously in 1935, showcasing her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge even in her final years.
1962: Marguerite Perey: First Woman Elected to the French Academy of Sciences
More than half a century later, in 1962, Curie's former doctoral student, Marguerite Perey, broke the gender barrier and became the first woman elected to the French Academy of Sciences.
1989: Marie Curie Featured on Polish Banknote
Marie Curie's image graced the 20,000-zloty Polish banknote designed by Andrzej Heidrich, issued between 1989 and 1996, a testament to her lasting legacy in her home country.
1995: Entombment at the Panthéon
In a historic recognition of her contributions to science, Marie Curie became the first woman to be interred in the Panthéon in Paris in 1995, based solely on her own merits.
1995: Reinterment of Marie and Pierre Curie at the Panthéon
In 1995, sixty years after their original burial, the remains of Marie and Pierre Curie were moved to the Panthéon in Paris in recognition of their extraordinary scientific achievements. Marie Curie became the first woman to be interred in the Panthéon on her own merits, highlighting her unique place in scientific history.
1995: Exhumation of Marie Curie's Remains and Analysis of Radiation Exposure
In 1995, Marie Curie's remains were exhumed to assess the extent of her radiation exposure. The French Office de Protection contre les Rayonnements Ionisants (OPRI) concluded that her exposure to radium during her lifetime was not lethal. They suggested that her illness was more likely due to exposure to X-rays during her time as a radiologist in World War I.
1996: End of Circulation of the 20,000-zloty Banknote Featuring Curie
The 20,000-zloty banknote featuring Marie Curie, designed by Andrzej Heidrich, was in circulation until 1996.
2011: Year of Marie Curie in Poland
In honor of Marie Curie's groundbreaking scientific achievements and her Polish heritage, Poland declared 2011 as the Year of Marie Curie. This coincided with the International Year of Chemistry, further highlighting her enduring impact on the scientific community.
2011: Commemorative Banknote for 100th Anniversary of Curie's Nobel Prize in Chemistry
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Marie Curie's Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the National Bank of Poland issued a special 20-zloty banknote in her honor in 2011, underscoring her enduring impact on science and Polish pride.
2013: Premiere of "False Assumptions"
"False Assumptions," a play by Lawrence Aronovitch exploring Marie Curie's life through the lens of three female scientists from history, premiered in 2013.
2014: Performances of "Manya: The Living History of Marie Curie"
By 2014, "Manya: The Living History of Marie Curie," a one-woman play by Susan Marie Frontczak, had been performed extensively across the United States and internationally, reaching audiences in 30 U.S. states and nine countries.
2019: Premiere of "The Half-Life of Marie Curie"
Lauren Gunderson's play "The Half-Life of Marie Curie," premiering in 2019, offered a different perspective on Curie's life, focusing on the period after her 1911 Nobel Prize win and delving into her personal challenges and societal pressures.
2024: Marie Curie on French Euro Coin
Highlighting Marie Curie's significant contributions to French history, she was chosen to be depicted on the French 50 euro cent coin starting in mid-2024, a lasting tribute to her legacy.