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Historical FiguresPhysicist

Elise Meitner

1878 - 1968

Austrian-Swedish physicist who co-discovered nuclear fission, was controversially excluded from 1944 Nobel Prize despite crucial theoretical contributions, and refused Manhattan Project work declaring will have nothing to do with bomb.

Quick Facts

Born

1878

Died

1968

Profession

Physicist

Nationality

Austrian‑born German‑Swedish

Biography

Lise Meitner represents nuclear fission co-discoverer who provided crucial theoretical interpretation but was controversially excluded from 1944 Nobel Prize Chemistry awarded solely to Otto Hahn, representing science history worst racism-sexism examples. Vienna Jewish family birth (1878-1968) includes University of Vienna physics studies Ludwig Boltzmann, 1906 doctorate second woman achievement, Max Planck Berlin lectures 1907, Otto Hahn collaboration beginning, radioactivity research. Scientific excellence encompasses 30-year Hahn collaboration, Kaiser Wilhelm Institute Chemistry leadership, 1926 Germany first woman full physics professorship, protactinium isotope discovery 1917, Auger effect cause discovery 1922, radiationless transition identification. Nazi persecution includes 1938 Austrian citizenship protection loss, Jewish heritage targeting, Dutch border escape assistance, possessions abandonment, Sweden Nobel Institute refuge, scientific career disruption, political persecution. Nuclear fission discovery includes December 1938 Hahn letter uranium bursting process, nephew Otto Frisch collaboration, Swedish woods hike discussion, E=mc2 calculations, tremendous energy yield realization, February 1939 Nature fission naming. Nobel Prize controversy encompasses 49 nominations Physics-Chemistry prizes, never winning, Hahn sole 1944 award, personal negative opinions exclusion, deserving scientist omission, institutional bias, gender-racial discrimination. Manhattan Project refusal includes I will have nothing to do with bomb declaration, ethical stance, humanity preservation, moral integrity, peaceful science commitment, conscience prioritization. Element 109 meitnerium naming honors scientific contribution, legacy recognition, scientific community acknowledgment, posthumous appreciation, intellectual heritage, scientific memory. Modern legacy includes physics humanity epitaph, nuclear science ethics, women science achievement, discrimination awareness, scientific integrity creating exceptional Austrian-German scientific heritage, ethical science, international recognition.

Historical Significance

Meitner's insight unlocked atomic energy, influencing reactors and weapons while symbolising women's contributions to science

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