Science is adorable

[boston bean]

9. Irène Joliot-Curie

Irene Curie’s legacy is often overshadowed by that of her more famous mother, Marie. Like her mother, Irene married a fellow scientist, won the Nobel Prize, and bore a daughter, Helene, who would also reach scientific greatness. While her talent was nurtured by Marie, Irene Curie’s accomplishments and scientific genius allow her to stand alone among the greatest scientists of her time.

Irene was born in Paris on September 12, 1897, the older of two daughters born to Pierre and Marie Curie. She was educated at home by her mother, who won two Nobel prizes- the first for Physics in 1903 for the discovery of radium, which forever changed the fields of chemistry, physics, and medicine, and the second for Chemistry in 1911. A strong and brilliant woman, Marie Curie placed a great deal of importance on her children’s education, and she even formed a special “school” for Irene and the similarly-gifted children of other academics when the local schools proved too easy for Irene’s early and obvious talent in mathematics. Irene completed high school at the College Sevigne and began her undergraduate education in mathematics and physics at the Sorbonne. World War I broke out soon after Irene began her studies, casting its dark shadow over Europe, and Irene interrupted her education to bravely assist her mother setting up portable x ray machines and examining wounded soldiers in the field and military hospitals, efforts which earned her France’s Military Medal.

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