Linus Carl Pauling (February 28, 1901 – August 19, 1994) was an American chemist, biochemist, peace activist, author, and educator. He was one of the most influential chemists in history and ranks among the most important scientists of the 20th century. Pauling was one of the founders of the fields of quantum chemistry and molecular biology.For his scientific work, Pauling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954. In 1962, for his peace activism, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This makes him the only person to be awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes. He is one of only four individuals to have won more than one Nobel Prize (the others being Marie Curie, John Bardeen, and Frederick Sanger). Pauling is also one of only two people to be awarded Nobel Prizes in different fields, the other being Marie Curie.He promoted orthomolecular medicine, megavitamin therapy, dietary supplements, and taking large doses of vitamin C.
Peter Jeffress Pauling, Linda Helen, Edward Crellin Pauling, Linus Carl Pauling Jr.
Parents
Herman Henry William Pauling, Lucy Isabelle Darling
Siblings
Pauline Darling Pauling, Frances Lucile Pauling
Awards
Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Peace Prize, Davy Medal, Priestley Medal, Lenin Peace Prize, Willard Gibbs Award, National Medal of Science for Physical Science, Lomonosov Gold Medal, Irving Langmuir Award, NAS Award in Chemical Sciences, Gandhi Peace Award, Roebling Medal, Guggenheim Fellowship for...
Star Sign
Pisces
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Quote
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If you want to have good ideas you must have many ideas. Most of them will be wrong, and what you have to learn is which ones to throw away.
2
I recognize that many physicists are smarter than I am--most of them theoretical physicists. A lot of smart people have gone into theoretical physics, therefore the field is extremely competitive. I console myself with the thought that although they may be smarter and may be deeper thinkers than I am, I have broader interests than they have.
3
I like people. I like animals, too - whales and quail, dinosaurs and dodos. But I like human beings especially, and I am unhappy that the pool of human germ plasm, which determines the nature of the human race, is deteriorating. [From his 1959 paper on the effect of radioactive fallout on heredity]
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Fact
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Inducted into the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame in 2004 (inaugural class).
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Pictured on one of a set of four 41¢ USA commemorative postage stamps in the American Scientists series, issued 6 March 2008. Others honored in the series were John Bardeen, Edwin Hubble, and biochemist Gerty Cori.
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Activist who spoke publicly about the possible biological and genetic effects of radioactive fallout.
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In 1973, founded the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, an independent nonprofit research and educational organization devoted to study of what he called orthomolecular medicine. He claimed that megadoses of vitamin C can prevent and cure a number of ills, from the common cold to cancer, and promote longevity.
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Became the only person ever to win two unshared Nobel awards when, in 1962, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his antiwar activism and his protests against nuclear weapons testing.
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During the 1940s and 1950s, Pauling researched abnormal molecules and hereditary faults in body chemistry seeking the biochemical aspects of such disorders as schizophrenia and sickle-cell anemia.
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Pauling used the insights of quantum physics to theorize about a vibrating "resonance" within atoms which gives them the cohesiveness necessary for the molecular formations that bind all complex substances. This research allowed other scientists to unriddle the structure of DNA. For this work, he received the 1954 Nobel prize in chemistry.
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Scientist, social activist, and biochemist, often called the outstanding chemist of the twentieth century.
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In 1933 he became the youngest person ever to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
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1954 and 1962 Nobel laureate.
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
3-2-1 Contact
1983-1986
TV Series
Himself
Doomsday Chronicles
1979
Documentary
Himself
Linus Pauling, Crusading Scientist
1977
Documentary
Himself
The David Frost Show
1971
TV Series
Himself
Interview with Linus Pauling
1960
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Horizon
2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
Silicon Valley: A 100 Year Renaissance
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself
3-2-1 Contact
1987
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
Doomsday Chronicles (1979) as Himself
Linus Pauling, Crusading Scientist (1977) as Himself
$100,000
