Otto Hahn

Date of Birth: March 8, 1879

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 28, 1968

Biography

Otto Hahn was a pioneering German chemist and physicist who is often referred to as the father of nuclear chemistry. Born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Hahn made significant contributions to the field of radiochemistry and is best known for his discovery of nuclear fission in uranium and thorium in 1938, a breakthrough that led to the development of atomic energy and atomic bombs. He completed his education in chemistry at the University of Marburg and later worked with renowned scientists such as Sir William Ramsay and Ernest Rutherford. Hahn’s work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944. He was also an active opponent of the Nazi regime and later became a key figure in the post-war scientific community, advocating for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Otto Hahn passed away on July 28, 1968.

5 Interesting Facts about Otto Hahn

1. Otto Hahn co-discovered the element protactinium with Lise Meitner in 1917.

2. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for his discovery of the fission of heavy nuclei.

3. Despite his significant contributions to nuclear chemistry, Hahn was a vocal opponent of the use of nuclear weapons.

4. Hahn was one of the signatories of the Göttingen Manifesto in 1957, which protested against the arming of the West German military with tactical nuclear weapons.

5. Otto Hahn was the first president of the Max Planck Society from 1948 to 1960.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Otto Hahn

1. “I am proud of my work for science, but I feel responsible for the fact that my discoveries were misused by humankind.”

2. “Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.”

3. “The splitting of the atomic nucleus has become a blessing and a curse.”

4. “The true scientist is ready to bear the responsibility for his discoveries.”

5. “We must not lose faith in humanity. We must believe in the power of human goodness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures for Otto Hahn’s net worth are not documented, his contributions to science earned him numerous awards and honors, significantly enhancing his professional stature.

Children

Otto Hahn had one son, Hanno Hahn, who was an art historian and architectural researcher. Tragically, Hanno Hahn died in a car accident in France in 1960.