Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling
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Name	Linus Pauling
Birth date	February 28, 1901
Birth place	Portland, Oregon
Death date	August 19, 1994
Death place	Big Sur, California
Nationality	American
Fields	Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics

Linus Pauling was a renowned American scientist who made significant contributions to the fields of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics. He is best known for his work on the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the structure of molecules, which was influenced by the work of Erwin Schrödinger and Werner Heisenberg. Pauling's research was also shaped by his interactions with other prominent scientists, including Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Ernest Lawrence. His work had a profound impact on the development of molecular biology, genetics, and medicine, as evident from the research conducted at Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley.

● Early Life and Education

Linus Pauling was born in Portland, Oregon, to Herman Pauling and Lucile Pauling. He developed an interest in chemistry and physics at an early age, which was encouraged by his parents and teachers at Washington High School (Portland, Oregon). Pauling went on to study chemical engineering at Oregon State University, where he was influenced by the work of Gilbert Newton Lewis and Irving Langmuir. He later moved to California Institute of Technology to pursue his graduate studies, working under the supervision of Roscoe Dickinson and Richard Tolman.

● Career and Research

Pauling's research career spanned over six decades, during which he made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. He worked at California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of California, San Diego, collaborating with other prominent scientists, including Robert Corey, Harold Urey, and Stanford Moore. Pauling's work on the nature of the chemical bond was influenced by the research conducted at Columbia University, University of Chicago, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also interacted with scientists at National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and American Chemical Society.

● Notable Contributions

Pauling's most notable contributions include his work on the nature of the chemical bond, which was published in his book The Nature of the Chemical Bond. He also made significant contributions to the field of molecular biology, including the discovery of the alpha helix structure of proteins, which was influenced by the research of James Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin. Pauling's work on vitamin C and its role in human health was also widely recognized, and he was a strong advocate for the use of orthomolecular medicine, which was supported by researchers at University of California, Los Angeles and Duke University.

● Awards and Honors

Pauling received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962. He was also awarded the Priestley Medal by the American Chemical Society and the Copley Medal by the Royal Society. Pauling was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Royal Society, and he received honorary degrees from Harvard University, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge.

● Personal Life and Later Years

Pauling was married to Ava Helen Pauling and had four children, including Linus Carl Pauling and Peter Pauling. He was a strong advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament, and he was involved in various social and political activities, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Federation of American Scientists. Pauling died on August 19, 1994, at the age of 93, in Big Sur, California, leaving behind a legacy of scientific contributions and social activism, which continues to inspire researchers at University of California, San Francisco and Johns Hopkins University.

● Legacy

Pauling's legacy extends far beyond his scientific contributions, as he was a pioneer in the field of molecular biology and a strong advocate for peace and social justice. His work continues to influence researchers at Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley, and his legacy is celebrated by organizations such as the Linus Pauling Institute and the American Chemical Society. Pauling's contributions to science and society have had a lasting impact on the world, and he remains one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, with his work being recognized by institutions such as National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and European Organization for Nuclear Research. Category:American scientists