About Magazine Podcasts Events
Museum Hours:Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm

Scientific Biographies

Science is a human pursuit. Meet some of the people who have contributed to the history of chemistry, chemical engineering, and the life sciences.
Featured

Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier

This French chemist introduced the world to hydrogen and oxygen, terms that were at the heart of one of the hottest chemical debates of the 1700s.

Learn More
Detail of a French Philatelic First Day Cover commemorating the 2nd centenary of the birth of Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier, ca. 1943.
Science History Institute
Illustration of Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier used on a French postage stamp

Filter biographies

For Educators
  • Audio/Visual Content
  • Earth and Space Science
  • Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
  • Language Arts
  • Life Science
  • Physical Science
  • Primary Sources
  • Race and Science
  • Technology and Engineering
  • Women Scientists
  • World History
Objects of Study
  • Art
  • Business
  • Computers
  • Dyes
  • Education
  • Electricity
  • Enzymes
  • Explosives
  • Food
  • Gases
  • Genes
  • Instruments
  • Medicines
  • Metals
  • Microorganisms
  • Plants
  • Plastics
  • Pollution
  • Radiation
  • Textiles
Stories
  • Building Capacity
  • Controversies and Disputes
  • Environmental Matters
  • Mentorship
  • Military Science
  • Science and Activism
  • Science and the Nation
  • Science on the Move
  • Serendipity
  • Talking About Science
  • The Science of Health
  • Tools of Knowledge
  • Trailblazers
  • Working Together
Harold Kroto
Harold W. Kroto
1939 - 2016
Stephanie L. Kwolek
1923 - 2014
Ralph Landau
1916 - 2004
Robert S. Langer
b. 1948
Irving Langmuir at home enjoying Harper’s Magazine.
Irving Langmuir
1881 - 1957
Warren K. Lewis
Warren K. Lewis
1882 - 1975
Carl von Linde
1842 - 1934
Arthur Dehon Little.
Arthur Little
1863 - 1935
color portrait of a man seated holding a quill pen and paper
Mikhail Vasil’evich Lomonosov
1711 - 1765
Alan MacDiarmid
Alan MacDiarmid
1927 - 2007
Russell Earl Marker
1902 - 1995
portrait of a man with a beard
Hudson Maxim
1853 - 1927
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
b. 1953
Gordon E. Moore
1929 - 2023
Giulio Natta, 1963.
Giulio Natta
1903 - 1979
Alfred Nobel
1833 - 1896
A professional portrait of Donald Othmer as a young man, wearing a suit and tie.
Donald F. Othmer
1904 - 1995
b/w photo of a women seated in a dress
Mary Engle Pennington
1872 - 1952
Portrait of William Henry Perkin, 1906.
William Henry Perkin
1838 - 1907
Roy J. Plunkett
1910 - 1994
black and white photo of a man in a lab
Petr Rehbinder
1898 - 1972
Rosenkranz in a suit and tie, smiling
George Rosenkranz
1916 - 2019
Hideki Shirakawa
Hideki Shirakawa
b. 1936
woman seated writing notes
Maxine Singer
1931 - 2024
Richard E. Smalley
1943 - 2005
Undated photo of Danish chemist Soren Sorensen working in a lab.
Søren Sørensen
1868 - 1939
Portrait of Jokichi Takamine
Jokichi Takamine
1854 - 1922
Portrait of William Walker
William Walker
1869 - 1934
123

About Scientific Biographies

Everything you need to know about our scientific biographies, including how to contact us, cite a biography, pitch a scientist, write a biography, or republish a biography.