Here are the 11 youngest winners of a scientific Nobel Prize, with a quick, interesting ‘did you know’ fact about each of them.
• The teenager whose work won a Nobel Prize in physics.
• The youngest woman to win a science Nobel Prize.
• The youngest winner in each of the three science categories:
• Physics
• Physiology or Medicine
• Chemistry
The 11 Youngest Nobel Laureates
Age 25: Lawrence Bragg
Australian-born British physicist.
Lawrence Bragg won the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘services in the analysis of crystal structure by means of X-rays.’
Did you know? While working as a physics professor in London, Bragg took part-time employment as a gardener, because he enjoyed gardening so much.
Age 31: Werner Heisenberg
German theoretical physicist.
Werner Heisenberg won the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘the creation of quantum mechanics…’
Age 31: Paul A.M. Dirac
British theoretical physicist.
Paul Dirac won the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘the discovery of new productive forms of atomic theory.’
Journalist: “Now Doctor, will you give me in a few words the low-down on all your investigations?”
Dirac: “No.”
Journalist: “Good. Will it be alright if I put it this way – ‘Professor Dirac solves all the problems of mathematical physics, but is unable to find a better way of figuring out Babe Ruth’s batting average’?”
Dirac: “Yes.”
Journalist: “Do you go to the movies?”
Dirac: “Yes.”
Journalist: “When?”
Dirac: “In 1920 – perhaps also in 1930.”
Age 31: Carl D. Anderson
American physicist.
Carl Anderson won the 1936 Nobel Prize in Physics for his ‘discovery of the positron.’
Age 31: Tsung-Dao Lee
Chinese-born American physicist.
Tsung-Dao Lee won the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics for his ‘penetrating investigation of the so-called parity laws which has led to important discoveries regarding the elementary particles.’
Age 32: Rudolf Mössbauer
German physicist.
Rudolf Mössbauer won the 1961 Nobel Prize in Physics for his ‘researches concerning the resonance absorption of gamma radiation and his discovery in this connection of the effect which bears his name.’
Age 32: Frederick G. Banting
Canadian surgeon and medical research scientist.
Frederick G. Banting won the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for ‘the discovery of insulin.’
Age 33: Brian D. Josephson
British theoretical physicist.
Brian Josephson won the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘theoretical predictions of the properties of a supercurrent through a tunnel barrier, in particular those phenomena which are generally known as the Josephson effects.’ Image courtesy Brian D. Josephson.
Age 33: Joshua Lederberg
American molecular biologist.
Joshua Lederberg won the 1958 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for ‘discoveries concerning genetic recombination and the organization of the genetic material of bacteria.’
Age 34: Donald A. Glaser
American physicist.
Donald Glaser won the 1960 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘the invention of the bubble chamber.’
Age 34: James Watson
American molecular biologist.
James Watson won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for ‘discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material.’
Youngest Nobel Prize for Chemistry
Age 35: Frédéric Joliot-Curie
French chemist/physicist.
Frédéric Joliot won the 1935 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for ‘synthesis of new radioactive elements.’
Youngest Scientific Nobel Prize for a Woman
Age 36: Marie Curie
Polish chemist/physicist.
Marie Curie won the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘researches on the radiation phenomena.’
Youngest age at which Nobel Prize Winning Work was Carried Out
Age 19: Subramanyan Chandrasekhar
Indian-born American physicist.
Subramanyan Chandrasekhar won the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics for ‘his theoretical studies of the physical processes of importance to the structure and evolution of the stars.’ He carried out the work aged just 19 on a ship traveling from India to Britain to begin working for a Ph.D. in physics.
Summing Up
• If you want to win young, it looks like physics is the best option.
• In recent years it’s been getting harder for ‘youngsters’ to win the Nobel Prize; the most recent Nobel Prize on our list is from over 40 years ago.
• The 11 youngest won in: 1915, 1923, 1932 (twice), 1933, 1938, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1973.
Most of these names are from physics,but surprisingly chemistry and medicine don’t have many names in this list.
It’s because in early 20th century physics was regarded as “Father of all science” and best talents used to go in physics.Winning a Nobel in other scientific field meant a second tier award in those days.
Wait, is there a minimum age for winning the nobel prize?
There’s no mention of any age limit in Alfred Nobel’s last will and testament, which set out how the prizes should be awarded.
Paul Dirac is my sorta guy. He didn’t give a damn what the press thought about him. Not like some of today’s so-called scientists who live for their press releases, media relations and government funding. Most of them are no longer independent thinkers. We need more people like Dirac these days but I don’t know where we’re gonna find them.
I am coming my friend
Wrong information about Age 19: Subramanyan Chandrasekhar. He was born in 1910. And was nominated in 1983.
Thanks Kate. The information is correct. Perhaps you misread it? “Youngest age at which Nobel Prize Winning Work was Carried Out“
I ignored my teachers too, but it didn’t do me as much good as Rudolf Mossbauer. LOL.
The greatest scientists are those that carve their own paths instead of following those carved by others. (Just saying)
Here’s my 2c:
Lawrence Bragg was a good card player.
I’m not sure about Werner Heisenberg.
I’ve nothing to say about Paul Dirac.
Carl Anderson was fond of cats.
And my prediction. There will be no more young winners of any science Nobel Prize.
What heisenberg said is familiar to philosophy.. Actually higher physics somewhere related with philosophy I guess..
Hmm… Great strides recorded, especially in physics. We’ll experience a better world with many of such sooner.