Marguerite Catherine Perey (1909-1975): The discovery of francium and the election of the first woman to the French Academy of Sciences

de Freitas-Reis, Ivoni

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/128651 Copy

Description

Title

Marguerite Catherine Perey (1909-1975): The discovery of francium and the election of the first woman to the French Academy of Sciences

Author(s)

de Freitas-Reis, Ivoni

Contributor(s)

Gatti de Castro, Beatriz

Issue Date

2022-12-30

Keyword(s)

• Chemistry
• History
• Perey
• Francium
• Women Chemist

Abstract

Recent historical studies encompassing science and technology (S&T) present new and interesting perspectives on the (in)visibility of women in science. Using the methodology of the case study and with the objective of disseminating biographies of women scientists who have not achieved due recognition, this article presents an account of the personal and professional career of Marguerite Catherine Perey (1909-1975). Born in a small town east of Paris, Perey began her professional career working at the Institut du Radium with Marie Curie, where she later came to isolate and identify the last naturally occurring radioelement, actinium K, later called francium. The French scientist was the only woman to publish a discovery of a chemical element as the sole author and the first to obtain admission to the French Academy of Sciences. This article brings a focus to her life, to the isolation and characterization of francium and also to her election to the Academy, bringing to light not only her scientific achievements, but also her personal life and the whole struggle for due recognition.

Publisher

Division of the History of Chemistry

ISSN

1053-4385

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

article

Language

eng

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/128651

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70359/bhc2022v047p302

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 Division of the History of Chemistry

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