A Brief Biography of Marie Curie

Madame Marie Curie’s passion for science and physics was and is, as illuminating as the glow from the element radium she is known for discovering. Marie Curie has left a magnificent imprint on the world of science and medical advancement in several ways, through determination, passion, and wisdom.

Madame Curie, with the birth name of Marie Sklodowska, known to friends and family as Manya; she was the youngest of five children, and came into this world on November 7, 1867. Marie was born in Warsaw, the Russian section of Poland, now recognized as “the Vistula territory.” “Russians were replaced by Poles in all offices.”(Giroud 8) This would have an extreme impact to how Marie and her siblings would be raised. She was the daughter of two very patriotic and intellectual parents, who refused to let go of their cultural identity. Manya’s father “made his peace with the system,” (Giroud 8)and became an educator in a state school, the same school where Manya’s mother was headmistress. From a very young age she seemed to possess a special relationship with nature, things of nature, and the earth. Most children need to be pushed forward in their studies, but not Manya, she was always at the top of her class.

Somewhere between the ages of nine and eleven Manya lost both, her mother from tuberculosis, and her eldest sister from typhus. This had a significant impact on Manya, as it sent her into a depressed state of being. It was said she was never allowed to kiss her mother, “and she was not told why-which was a typical attitude for that time.”(Giroud 13) Soon after the death of his wife, Marie’s father soon lost not only his job, but also his life’s savings. The Sklodowska family values were solid, and based on a loving and loyal relat...

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... work, countless lives were saved by the detection of bullets and shrapnel. Although France was not her native country, her patriotism was exemplary of the woman Marie was. Marie’s shared her thoughts in a letter she wrote to Paul Langevin January 1, 1915, “I am resolved to put all my strength at the service of my adopted country, since I cannot do anything for my unfortunate native country just now.”

In the years that proceeded, Marie’s health continually declined. However, her loyalty was to the Radiation Institute. She continued to use all of her investment resources necessary to get funding for the institute. After all, the Radiation Institute was a representation of who Madame Curie was. In 1934, Madame Curie passed away; leaving a magnificent imprint on the world of science and medical advancement in several ways, through determination, passion, and wisdom.