In the world of disputes over who is the greatest among athletes, movie stars, leaders, or artists, some scientists have made a truly stunning impact on the world. The receipt of the Nobel Prize is a rare and unusual achievement, but five exceptional individuals have managed to receive this prestigious award twice. Who are these remarkable individuals? What sets them apart? And who among them can be considered the greatest?
This question is subjective and influenced by time and context. Here are the five outstanding recipients:
Maria Curie – Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911)
At the first Solvay Conference on physics and chemistry in 1911, Maria Curie stood out among the physics giants as the only woman. She is the most renowned among these five scientists for good reason.
Today, the world and the field of science owe a great deal to her groundbreaking work. Maria Curie received her first Nobel Prize for her work on radioactivity (physics) in 1903 and her second prize in chemistry in 1911 for discovering the elements radium and polonium.
Among Nobel laureates, Curie holds the distinction of being the first woman, the first two-time laureate, and the only person to receive the prize in two different scientific fields. Her family boasts five Nobel laureates, and the institute she founded has produced four more.
Curie’s achievements are even more remarkable considering the challenges she faced, including struggles to obtain a top-tier laboratory and membership in the French Academy.
Fred Sanger – Chemistry (1958) and Chemistry (1980)
As a molecular biologist, Fred Sanger is a scientific hero. He received the Nobel Prize twice for his pioneering work in protein sequencing methods and DNA.
His first award, earned for his work on insulin’s structure in 1958, was a solo achievement. The second prize, shared with two other researchers in 1980, recognized their method for determining DNA structure, still in use today.
Sanger’s discoveries have had an immense impact, contributing to projects like the “human genome” initiative and shaping the field of practical molecular biology through his sequencing methods.
Linus Pauling – Chemistry (1954) and Peace (1962)
Linus Pauling stands as the only person to have received two unshared Nobel Prizes. Alongside Curie, he is one of the few individuals to be honored in two distinct fields. His groundbreaking work in chemical bonds earned him his first Nobel Prize, while his efforts