The Resume

(May 15, 1859-April 19, 1906)
Born in Paris, France
Physicist
With his wife Marie Curie discovered the elements polonium and radium
Co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1903)
Namesake for the curie, a unit of radioactivity, and curium, a radioactive element
Died after being run over by a horse-drawn wagon

Why he might be annoying:

He ended up overshadowed by his wife.
He was rejected by the French Academy of Sciences (1902).
He attended seances by medium Eusapia Palladino and suggested that spiritualism might reveal the secrets of radioactivity.
He provided an unfortunate demonstration of the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street.

Why he might not be annoying:

Even before studying radioactivity, he made several important discoveries.
He and his brother discovered the piezoelectric effect (a crystal changes shape in response to an electric field), which became the basis of quartz watches and digital electronic circuits.
When nominated for the Legion of Honor, he said 'I do not feel the slightest need of being decorated, but I am in the greatest need of a laboratory.'
He commented, 'Every discovery, however small, is a permanent gain.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 19th Century Scientists
• 20th Century Scientists
• An Asteroid was Named in My Honor (Ranked: 7000)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 16]
• I am a Citizen of France
• I Am Buried at the Pantheon in Paris
• I Attended University of Paris
• I Died in 1906 (Ranked: 46)
• I Died in the City I Was Born In
• I Earned a Doctorate
• I Got an Element Named After Me
• I Turned Down the Legion of Honor
• I was Home Schooled
• My Name Became a Unit of Measurement
• Nobel Prize for Physics (Ranked: 1903)
• P.C.'s and Mac's
• Profiles 24251-24500 (Ranked: 24376)
• Scientists

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 30 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 35.71% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 52 Votes: 63.46% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 32 Votes: 40.62% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 61 Votes: 34.43% Annoying