Henri Becquerel - Discoverer of Radioactivity, Birthday and Family
Henri Becquerel's Personal Details
Henri Becquerel was a French physicist , who won Nobel Prize for discovery of radioactivity
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | December 15, 1852 |
| Died on | August 25, 1908 |
| Nationality | French |
| Famous | Scientists, Physicists, Discoverer of Radioactivity |
| City/State | Paris |
| Spouses | Louise Désirée Lorieux. |
| Known as | Antoine Henri Becquerel |
| Childrens | Jean Becquerel |
| Universities |
|
| Discoveries / Inventions |
|
| Birth Place | Paris, France |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel |
| Mother | A. E. Becquerel |
| Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Born in | Paris, France |
| Famous as | Physicist, Discoverer of Radioactivity |
| Died at Age | 55 |
Henri Becquerel's photo
Who is Henri Becquerel?
Henri Becquerel was a French scientist, physicist and one of the most important personalities in the history of radioactive research. Becquerel belonged to a family of scientists and scholars. Both his father and grandfather were scientists, which is why it almost seemed like a natural progression for him to follow in their footsteps once he started attending his formal training in scientific studies at some of the best institutes in Paris. After completing his engineering degree he took up a job and at the same time he was deeply involved in phosphorescence research. Later, he directed his research towards discovering new radioactive elements. His research in the field of radioactivity won him the Nobel Prize for Physics in the year 1903. Henri Becquerel was deeply associated with the National Musuem of Natural History when his father was the chair of physics and following his stellar work as a researcher he became the chair of physics at the same institution. Becquerel is without doubt one of the greatest physicists in the field of radioactivity and the world of science will forever be indebted to him.
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Childhood & Early Life
Antoine Henri Becquerel was born to Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel and Aurelie Quenard in Paris, France, on 15 December, 1852. His father was a scientist and employed as a professor of Applied Physics. He belonged to a family of distinguished scholars and scientists.
He studied at the Lycee Louis-Le-Grand in Paris and right from the time he was in school he showed a particular liking for science subjects.
In 1872, at the age of 20 Henri Becquerel joined the Ecole Polytechnique, the premier French government institution, to study engineering. He graduated from the institute 2 years later.
In 1874, Henri Becquerel enrolled in the engineering course at the Ecole des Pontes at Claussees. He was awarded the degree 3 years later and that degree would prove to be the cornerstone of his research in later years.
Career
Upon graduating from the Ecole des Pontes at Claussees in the year 1877; the Department of Bridges and Highways of the French Government appointed him as an engineer. He continued to work at this department in spite of being involved in advanced scientific research for much of his career.
In 1876, he was appointed a junior teacher at his alma mater the Ecole Polytechnique and 19 years later he became the chair of the physics department at the institute. He had a keen interest in phosphorescence which dealt with the transformation of the colour of light after it is exposed to any particular body and he began his research in earnest pretty early. It was also the subject of Becquerel’s doctoral thesis.
Around the time that he had been appointed a teacher at the Ecole Polytechnique, he also became actively involved in the National Musuem of Natural History in Paris and was engaged in helping his father, who was then head of physics at the museum. Becquerel became the physics chair of the Museum in 1892.
He was involved in the research of such physical phenomena as infrared radiation, the process of how light is absorbed as well as the effect of infrared on phosphorescent crystals throughout his initial years and his findings led to him being made a member of the Academie des Sciences in 1889.
In 1896, he conducted several experiments in relation to radioactivity and successfully identified new radioactive elements other than uranium like polonium, radium and thorium. Becquerel won the Nobel Prize 7 years after he completed those experiments, which is without doubt one of the most significant findings in modern history.
Major Works
Henri Becquerel was engaged in scientific research for the better part of his adult life and during that time he not only came up with a lot of new findings but also held some important positions that led to further great work. However, nothing can really come close to his work on radioactive elements that won him the Nobel Prize.
Awards & Achievements
The Royal Society awarded Henri Becquerel the Rumford Medal in 1900 ‘for his discoveries in radiation proceeding from Uranium’.
The Berling-Bradenberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities awarded him the Helmholtz Medal in 1901.
The Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 was shared by Henri Becquerel, Pierre Curies and Marie Sklodowska-Curie.
In 1905, he was awarded the Barnard Medal for Meritorious Service to Science by Columbia University.
Personal Life & Legacy
Henri Becquerel married a woman called Janin and the couple had only one child, a son who was born in 1878. His son was named Jean Becquerel and he went on to become a scientist as well.
Henri Becquerel died on 25 August, 1908 in Le Croisic at the age of 55.
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Henri Becquerel's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1903 - Nobel Prize in Physics | |
| 0 | - Copley Medal | |
Henri Becquerel biography timelines
- // 15th Dec 1852Antoine Henri Becquerel was born to Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel and Aurelie Quenard in Paris, France, on 15 December, 1852. His father was a scientist and employed as a professor of Applied Physics. He belonged to a family of distinguished scholars and scientists.
- // 1872In 1872, at the age of 20 Henri Becquerel joined the Ecole Polytechnique, the premier French government institution, to study engineering. He graduated from the institute 2 years later.
- // 1874In 1874, Henri Becquerel enrolled in the engineering course at the Ecole des Pontes at Claussees. He was awarded the degree 3 years later and that degree would prove to be the cornerstone of his research in later years.
- // 1876In 1876, he was appointed a junior teacher at his alma mater the Ecole Polytechnique and 19 years later he became the chair of the physics department at the institute. He had a keen interest in phosphorescence which dealt with the transformation of the colour of light after it is exposed to any particular body and he began his research in earnest pretty early. It was also the subject of Becquerel’s doctoral thesis.
- // 1877Upon graduating from the Ecole des Pontes at Claussees in the year 1877; the Department of Bridges and Highways of the French Government appointed him as an engineer. He continued to work at this department in spite of being involved in advanced scientific research for much of his career.
- // 1878Henri Becquerel married a woman called Janin and the couple had only one child, a son who was born in 1878. His son was named Jean Becquerel and he went on to become a scientist as well.
- // 1889He was involved in the research of such physical phenomena as infrared radiation, the process of how light is absorbed as well as the effect of infrared on phosphorescent crystals throughout his initial years and his findings led to him being made a member of the Academie des Sciences in 1889.
- // 1892Around the time that he had been appointed a teacher at the Ecole Polytechnique, he also became actively involved in the National Musuem of Natural History in Paris and was engaged in helping his father, who was then head of physics at the museum. Becquerel became the physics chair of the Museum in 1892.
- // 1896In 1896, he conducted several experiments in relation to radioactivity and successfully identified new radioactive elements other than uranium like polonium, radium and thorium. Becquerel won the Nobel Prize 7 years after he completed those experiments, which is without doubt one of the most significant findings in modern history.
- // 1900The Royal Society awarded Henri Becquerel the Rumford Medal in 1900 ‘for his discoveries in radiation proceeding from Uranium’.
- // 1901The Berling-Bradenberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities awarded him the Helmholtz Medal in 1901.
- // 1903The Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 was shared by Henri Becquerel, Pierre Curies and Marie Sklodowska-Curie.
- // 1905In 1905, he was awarded the Barnard Medal for Meritorious Service to Science by Columbia University.
- // 25th Aug 1908Henri Becquerel died on 25 August, 1908 in Le Croisic at the age of 55.
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Henri Becquerel's FAQ
What is Henri Becquerel birthday?
Henri Becquerel was born at 1852-12-15
When was Henri Becquerel died?
Henri Becquerel was died at 1908-08-25
Where was Henri Becquerel died?
Henri Becquerel was died in Le Croisic, Brittany, France
Which age was Henri Becquerel died?
Henri Becquerel was died at age 55
Where is Henri Becquerel's birth place?
Henri Becquerel was born in Paris, France
What is Henri Becquerel nationalities?
Henri Becquerel's nationalities is French
Who is Henri Becquerel spouses?
Henri Becquerel's spouses is Louise Désirée Lorieux.
Who is Henri Becquerel childrens?
Henri Becquerel's childrens is Jean Becquerel
What was Henri Becquerel universities?
Henri Becquerel studied at École Polytechnique, École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Lycée Louis-le-Grand
What is Henri Becquerel's inventions/discoveries?
Radioactivity was invented (or discovered) by Henri Becquerel
What is Henri Becquerel's religion?
Henri Becquerel's religion is Roman Catholic
Who is Henri Becquerel's father?
Henri Becquerel's father is Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel
Who is Henri Becquerel's mother?
Henri Becquerel's mother is A. E. Becquerel
What is Henri Becquerel's sun sign?
Henri Becquerel is Sagittarius
How famous is Henri Becquerel?
Henri Becquerel is famouse as Physicist, Discoverer of Radioactivity