Marie Curie

Marie Curie

By Daniel Warren

11/20/2004

Science Comp

Maria Curie was born November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. She's famous for her extensive research on radioactivity, and for being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her work has effect the world in incredible ways.

Marie's maiden name was Marya Sklodowska. She changed her first name when she enrolled in school in 1891, and her last when she married Peter Curie July of 1895. Marie was the youngest of 5 children in her family. Her mother Bronsitwa Boguska was a pianist, singer, and teacher. She tragically died from tuberculosis when Marie was a 11. Her father Ladislas Sklodowska was a professor of mathematics and physics. As her only role model Marie became fascinated with her fathers physics equipment. She like him was always quite and kept to her studies. Marie's family always valued there however at the time Poland had been divided up among Austria, Prussia, and czarist Russia so the schools in Warsaw were controlled by the czar, who hoped to eliminate Polish nationalism by keeping the people ignorant of their culture and language.

Pierre and Marie Curie in the laboratory

Pierre Curie

English: Marie, Pierre and Irene Curie Deutsch: Ma...

" Constantly held in suspicion and spied upon, the children knew that a single conversation in polish, or an imprudent word, might seriously harm, not only themselves, but also their families." Marie's father taught math and physics and earned a good salary until he was fired from his job for his pro-polish views. After a bad finical investment he lost there remaining savings and had to take in student boarders to help make ends meat. Although he regretted his bad decisions he still assisted his children in there education.

Marie valued her education and spent most of her life constantly studying and experimenting. Marie was a excellent student however after graduating at 15 she...