Pierre Curie

Pierre Curie Born in Paris on 15 May 1859, Pierre Curie was the son of Eugène Curie (1827–1910), a doctor of French Catholic origin from Alsace, and Sophie-Claire Curie (née Depouilly; 1832–1897). He was educated by his father and in his early teens showed a strong aptitude for mathematics and geometry. When he was 16, he earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematics.^{[3][clarification needed]} By the age of 18, he earned his license, the equivalent of a U.S. master's degree, in physical sciences from the Faculty of Sciences at the Sorbonne, also known as the University of Paris.^[3][4][5] He did not proceed immediately to a doctorate due to lack of money. Instead, he worked as a laboratory instructor.^[6] When Pierre Curie was preparing for his Bachelor of Science degree, he worked in the laboratory of Jean-Gustave Bourbouze in the Faculty of Science.^[7] In 1895, he went on to receive his doctorate at the University of Paris.^[8] The submission material for his doctorate consisted of his research over magnetism.^[9] After obtaining his doctorate, he became professor of physics and in 1900, he became professor in the faculty of sciences.^[10]

In 1880, Pierre and his older brother Paul-Jacques (1856–1941) demonstrated that an electric potential was generated when crystals were compressed, i.e. piezoelectricity.^[11] To aid this work they invented the piezoelectric quartz electrometer.^[12] The following year they demonstrated the reverse effect: that crystals could be made to deform when subject to an electric field.^[11] Almost all digital electronic circuits now rely on this in the form of crystal oscillators.^[13] In subsequent work on magnetism Pierre Curie defined the Curie scale.^[14] This work also involved delicate equipment – balances, electrometers, etc.^[15]

Pierre Curie was introduced to Maria Skłodowska by their friend, physicist Józef Wierusz-Kowalski.^[16] Curie took her into his laboratory as his student. His admiration for her grew when he realized that she would not inhibit his research.^{[further explanation needed]} He began to regard Skłodowska as his muse.^[17] She refused his initial proposal, but finally agreed to marry him on 26 July 1895.^[6][18]