Linus Pauling
Linus Pauling was an American chemist, peace activist and Nobel Prize recipient who is credited with pioneering the field of quantum chemistry and revolutionizing the scientific method. Born on February 28, 1901, in Portland, Oregon, he earned a doctorate in chemistry from California Institute of Technology in 1925 and joined the faculty there two years later. In 1954, Pauling won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the structure of proteins and the nature of their chemical bonds. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 for his work protesting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He died in 1994 at the age of 93.
Paulings early scientific interests revolved around the theoretical aspects of chemistry, which led him to pursue research in quantum mechanics. He published several important papers on quantum structures, a concept responsible for understanding many of the more complex properties of materials. Paulings research went on to link the nature of chemical bonds to the underlying structure of matter, making quantum chemistry an essential tool in analyzing the behavior of atoms and molecules.
Paulings work revolutionized the way scientists approach scientific research by introducing the concept of molecular modeling. Molecular modeling allows scientists to visualize the structure of molecules on a computer screen and predict their behavior. Paulings research was also crucial in understanding the structure of DNA and its role in heredity.
In the 1950s, Pauling became involved in political activism, beginning with the passage of a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on nuclear disarmament in 1973. From then on, Pauling was an outspoken advocate for peaceful solutions to international disputes, including the Vietnam War and the conflict between North and South Korea. He aggressively supported the civil rights movement and even testified against the hydrogen bomb before Congress in 1956. Paulings activism inspired many other scientists, including Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, to turn their attention to social issues.
By the early 1990s, Pauling was widely considered to be one of the most important and influential scientists of the 20th century. Not only did he transform the way science is practiced, but he also used his research to ignite passionate protests against political issues. Paulings legacy continues to this day, as new generations of scientists look to him as an example of how to be both a great scientist and a great humanitarian.
