Marie Skłodowska Curie

"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." - Marie Curie

Marie Curie was born Maria Skłodowska on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland, which was then part of the Russian Empire. She was the youngest of five children, born into a family of educators and intellectuals. Her father, Władysław Skłodowski, was a teacher of mathematics and physics, while her mother, Bronisława, was a school principal and a teacher. The Skłodowski family upheld the values of learning and education, shaping young Maria's intellectual pursuits.

Maria, or Marie, as she would later become known, grew up in Warsaw during a period of heightened political tension. The city was controlled by the Russian Empire, which was determined to impose its culture, language, and policies on the Polish people. Due to this suppression of Polish cultural and academic institutions, many Poles were forced to find alternative ways to preserve their heritage. One such effort was the establishment of underground, clandestine classes. These courses, often referred to as "floating" classes, moved from place to place to avoid detection by Russian authorities. They were a means to secretly teach the Polish youth about their rich history, culture, and language - subjects largely ignored or suppressed in official school curricula.

In this environment, Maria began her education. She was sent to a boarding school and subsequently to a gymnasium for girls. At both institutions, Maria displayed a keen intellect, consistently ranking among the top students. Her abilities began to shine early on, particularly in the sciences and mathematics.

After graduating from the gymnasium with gold honors, Maria faced a period of struggle. Universities in Warsaw did not admit women. To continue their education, Maria and her sister Bronisława made a pact. Maria would work to support Bronisława's medical studies in Paris. Once Bronisława was established, she would support Maria in her educational pursuits. 

True to this agreement, Maria worked as a governess and private tutor for several years. By 1891, with the funds she'd saved and now with support from her sister, Maria moved to Paris to attend the University of Paris in Sorbonne. There, she adopted the French version of her name, becoming Marie.

College Years and Marriage

"I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy." - Marie Curie