Date of Birth: May 9, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: February 6, 2019
Biography
Manfred Eigen was a renowned German biophysical chemist, born on May 9, 1927, in Bochum, Germany. He made significant contributions to the field of chemical kinetics, particularly in the study of extremely fast chemical reactions. Eigen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1967, alongside Ronald George Wreyford Norrish and George Porter, for their work on measuring reaction rates using relaxation techniques. Eigen’s methods enabled scientists to observe reactions occurring in nanoseconds, revolutionizing the understanding of chemical processes. Eigen attended the University of Göttingen, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1951 under the supervision of Arnold Eucken. He later worked at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, where he eventually became the director. Throughout his career, Eigen’s research extended beyond chemistry to include evolutionary biology and molecular biology. He introduced the concept of “hypercycles” to explain the self-organization of prebiotic molecules, a pivotal idea in understanding the origin of life. Eigen was a prolific author, publishing numerous scientific papers and several books. His work earned him many accolades, including membership in various prestigious scientific societies. Manfred Eigen passed away on February 6, 2019, in Göttingen, Germany, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and profound contributions to science.
5 Interesting Facts about Manfred Eigen
1. Manfred Eigen won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1967 for his work on measuring fast chemical reactions.
2. He introduced the concept of “hypercycles” to explain the self-organization of prebiotic molecules.
3. Eigen worked at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, where he served as director for many years.
4. He was involved in a variety of scientific disciplines, including evolutionary biology and molecular biology.
5. Eigen was a member of several prestigious scientific societies and received numerous awards for his contributions to science.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Manfred Eigen
1. “Chance has always been a part of nature. It is the very fabric of evolution.”
2. “In the end, science is about understanding, and understanding is about seeing connections.”
3. “The beauty of science lies in its ability to reveal the underlying order of the world.”
4. “Every discovery opens up new questions and challenges, and that is the true excitement of scientific research.”
5. “Life is a complex interplay of order and chaos, and it is the scientist’s job to decipher the patterns within.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Manfred Eigen is not widely documented, but his influence and contributions to science are invaluable.
Children
Manfred Eigen had two children, a son named Gernot Eigen and a daughter named Angela Eigen. Both have pursued careers outside the realm of chemistry.
Relevant Links
2. [Manfred Eigen – Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry](https://www.mpibpc.mpg.de/eigen
3. [Obituary in Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00768-0
4. [Wikipedia – Manfred Eigen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Eigen
