How to write a biography of a scientist
Nationality:British
Known for:Discovered electromagnetic induction
Physicist and chemist who worked to make electricity a viable technology that could be used. He also did a lot of work with batteries, electrolysis, and magnets.
Nationality:British
Known for:Discovered electromagnetic induction
Physicist and chemist who worked to make electricity a viable technology that could be used. He also did a lot of work with batteries, electrolysis, and magnets.
Nationality:Scottish
Known for:Invented the dialysis process for kidneys
Chemist who studied the diffusion of gasses. He coined Graham’s Law and also developed the process of dialysis, which is still used in medical facilities today. Graham is also credited with being the founder of colloid chemistry.
Nationality:British
Known for:Theory of Evolution and Natural Selection
Darwin formulated a theory that said humans descended from animals through a process called Natural Selection. His ideas have created a great deal of controversy in his day and through today.
Nationality:French
Known for:Process of Pasteurization, vaccine for anthrax and rabies
Influential in the field of medical microbiology. Pasteur worked toward cures for diseases and processing methods for reducing harmful bacteria in milk, wine, and other work also helped reduce mortality rates from puerperal fever.
Nationality:Austrian
Known for:Father of Modern Genetics
Scientist who experimented with plant hybridizations. He discovered that many of his findings could be transferred to animals and humans. Coined the terms “recessive” and “dominant” when referring to genes.
(1824-1907)
Nationality:British
Known for:Kelvin Scale of Temperature
Physicist and engineer who determined the value for absolute zero in regards to temperature. He also estimated that the age of the earth was between 20 and 400 million years old and helped develop the second law of thermodynamics.
Nationality:Swedish
Known for:Invented dynamite
Best known for the Nobel Prizes, which are named after him and generally awarded to those who excel in the sciences. These prizes are often reserved for those who make a significant discovery or invention in their respective fields.
Nationality:German
Known for:Gave names to thousands of unknown species
Zoologist who supported Darwin’s theories regarding evolution and developed the recapitulation theory, also known as the biogenetic law. He also created several terms in the field of biology, including stem cell, ecology, and several others.
Nationality:Russian
Known for:Periodic Table
Published Principles of Chemistry in 1869 which detailed his work in arranging the various elements accordig to their atomic mass. He is also credited with introducing the metric system to the Russian Empire.
(1845-1923)
Nationality:German
Known for:Discovered the modern day x-rays
Physicist who worked with electromagnetic radiation. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery of x-rays. he also worked extensively with magnetic fields, although his findings in this field are lesser known.
Nationality:American
Known for:Phonograph; electric light bulb; motion pictures; etc.
Edison created some of the most prominent inventions that are in most households today. He often gets credit for being the person who created the first research laboratory and he held more than 1,000 patents for his inventions.
Nationality:Croatian
Known for:A/C Electrical System
Created precursors to modern-day inventions, including a global communication system and induction motors, among others. Tesla experimented with radio communications and x-rays, too. He was considered a “mad scientist” because of his unique inventions.
Nationality:German
Known for:Quantum Theory
Theoretical physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918 for his theory on quantum physics. He revolutionized the way people thought about the atomic process.
(1864-1943)
Nationality:American
Known for:Used peanuts in a variety of inventions and products
Scientist and botanist who strived to create alternative crops for sweet potatoes, peanuts, cotton and soybeans. He also helped establish a foundation in his name at the Tuskegee Institute and he became a member of England’s Royal Society of Arts.
Biographies about scientists “Scientific biographies most often focus on Great Famous Men—but most scientists reach neither fame nor glory. Lab Girl reminds us how the profession of the scientist has changed, how hard and unglamourous it is. In some senses, it is a book that annihilates with a single, first-person-punch the entire genre of biographies of luminaries.