Harry Kroto

Date of Birth: October 7, 1939

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 30, 2016

Biography

Sir Harold Walter Kroto, commonly known as Harry Kroto, was a distinguished British chemist who became renowned for his co-discovery of the fullerene, a new form of carbon. Born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England, Kroto’s family moved to Bolton during World War II to escape Nazi persecution. He attended Bolton School, then went on to study at the University of Sheffield where he earned both his Bachelor of Science and PhD in Chemistry. Kroto’s groundbreaking work in the field of chemistry, particularly his discovery of fullerenes in 1985 alongside Robert Curl and Richard Smalley, earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996. The discovery of fullerenes, also known as buckyballs, opened up new fields of research and potential applications in materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology. Kroto had a prolific academic career, holding positions at the University of Sussex, where he was a professor, and later at Florida State University. Beyond his scientific contributions, Kroto was known for his passionate advocacy for science education and his efforts to promote scientific literacy among young people.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Kroto

1. Harry Kroto was originally named Harold Krotoschiner but his family shortened their surname during World War II to avoid anti-German sentiment.

2. The shape of the fullerene molecule that Kroto helped discover resembles a soccer ball, consisting of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a pattern of hexagons and pentagons.

3. Kroto’s interest in chemistry was sparked by a school project on the structure of benzene.

4. He was knighted in 1996 for his contributions to chemistry and science education.

5. Kroto was an accomplished artist and designed several of the scientific illustrations used in his research.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Kroto

1. “The buckyball is the most beautiful molecule we’ve ever seen.”

2. “Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method.”

3. “Education is the key to the future of mankind.”

4. “The discovery of fullerenes has changed our understanding of carbon chemistry.”

5. “A scientist’s aim in a discussion with his colleagues is not to persuade, but to clarify.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Harry Kroto is not publicly documented, but it is known that he earned significant recognition and financial rewards from his Nobel Prize and academic positions.