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Marie and Pierre Curie: A Love Story
When I think of the name Curie, I automatically think of Marie Curie, the incredibly bright and industrious woman who discovered the nature and uses of uranium. She is especially recognized for being the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize. (The Nobel Committee first wanted to give the prizes only to her husband, Pierre, and Henri Becquerel, but Pierre insisted the Marie also be recognized.) Her husband’s insistence that she be included was typical of the kind of love, partnership and respect this couple shared:
By the summer of 1898, Marie’s husband Pierre had become as excited about her discoveries as Marie herself. He asked Marie if he could cooperate with her scientifically, and she welcomed him. By this time, they had a one-year old daughter Irene. Amazingly, 37 years later, Irene Curie herself would win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
‘My husband and I were so closely united by our affection and our common work that we passed nearly all of our time together.’
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Girls were not permitted to attend university in Poland. As a result, Marie worked as a tutor to support her sister’s moving to France where she would study medicine. Eight years later in 1891, Marie followed her, graduated, and eventually tried to return to Poland, but there were no jobs and she still was not able to study at the university.
So she returned to Paris and at 28, married Pierre, who was also highly credentialed. He finished his PhD thesis at Marie’s urging, and discovered piezoelectricity with his brother, Jacques.
The Curie marriage was one of love, admiration and industriousness. They were partners in every sense of the word. Unfortunately Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn carriage. Marie, devastated by his death, agreed to accept his position at the Sorbonne as the Chair of Physics.
Eventually Marie established the Radium Institute, investigating the use of radium in medicine. Her daughter and son-in-law won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1935.
Marie Curie died on July 4, 1934 of aplastic anemia, probably caused by her work with radioactivity. Albert Einstein had this to say about her:
Not only did she do outstanding work in her lifetime, and not only did she help humanity greatly by her work, but she invested all her work with the highest moral quality. All of this she accomplished with great strength, objectivity, and judgment. It is very rare to find all of these qualities in one individual.
Although she receives many individual accolades, she did much of her work with Pierre, lovingly at her side.
Published in Group Writing
I think another remarkable point about their relationship is that in spite of their successes, ego didn’t seem to play a role. Competition was not an issue; that is especially noteworthy in a male-female working relationship, but they were married to each other, too!
Marie is a STEM role model for women.
Don’t forget daughter Irene. She and her husband were also accomplished nobel prize winners, and their children went into the science field as well.
I assume you mean your comment for others, since I referenced Irene and her husband a couple of times, Stad. It was quite a family, no?
You are correct!
Yes, they were (are?) quite a family.
Marie Curie has been a lifelong inspiration to me. I have her words in a frame on my desk and so I feel she talks to me every day, reminding me (and comforting me) with this important truth: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”
Thanks for this wonderful post, Susan.
Thank you for the quote, @imfine! Excellent words to live by!
Curie used to walk around with a vial of radium in her pocket, totally oblivious to the detriments to her health. Her personal effects are held by the Bibliotheque National in Paris and may only be viewed by signing a liability waiver and wearing a hazmat suit.
I live for a good love story. When it is also a tribute to a world hero I am in awe. TY
You echo my own thoughts @Sweezle. Thanks!
There was a time when we learned of such heroes, as heroes, in public K-12 schools. We learned of what they did, rather than their intersectional totemic significance.
This conversation is part of our Group Writing Series under the April 2019 Group Writing Theme: Men and Women. We still have room for one or two more contributions. Tell us about your favorite couple, witty or tragic observations between the sexes, or perhaps the battles and truces. Or do something entirely different. Maybe a musical or dance post! Our schedule and sign-up sheet awaits.
May’s theme is now up, and the days are being rapidly filled: May 2019 Group Writing Theme: Blooming Ideas.
Since they were married, it seems Pierre already knew who was boss(hint: not him)😉