Maria Sktodowska

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It was November 7, 1867 when Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland. Her original name was Maria Sktodowska. When she was born, Polish people were having difficult times in Poland. At that time the country was under the control of many countries and it was divided up. Marie was living in the part that was under the control of Russia. Marie’s father was eager to maintain many traditions from Poland. Because of his dedication, he lost his job as a teacher. It caused many hardships for his family.

Marie’s mother died of tuberculosis, and her sister died of typhus before Marie was eleven. Because of her losses, she felt a deep sadness in her heart, but she didn’t give up and worked hard at her education. At the age of fifteen, she graduated from high school with honors. Finally, the sadness of her losses hit her and she started to suffer from depression. She decided to live in the countryside for a year with her relatives to recover.

After a year, her health returned and she came back home to pursue her education. Women weren’t allowed to attend universities at this time, during the Russian control of Warsaw. Marie and her other sister started an illegal institution called the Flying University. Their classes were at night to avoid detection, but both girls knew that it wasn’t possible to receive the education they desired as long as Russia was in control. The sisters decided to help each other about their education and first Marie’s sister went to Paris to study medicine. Marie had to support her sister’s education so she started to work as a governess and tutor. During these years, Marie started her own studies in chemistry, maths and physics. Marie continued to work and saved the money for her own education. It was 1891 when she left Warsaw to study in Paris. It was her dream to continue her education and it was coming true.

For three years, Marie worked diligently toward her goal. She received her master’s degree in 1894 in math and physics. This achievement took many long hours of study. To earn enough money to live on, she tutored many students in the evenings. There was a time that she fainted from hunger. However, thanks to her hard work, The Society for the Encouragement of National Industry recognised her and they gave her a chance to study the magnetic properties of different steels.

Adapted from Edhelper’s website.