Fame – is a sweet burden that, in essence, ought to be borne by the most talented, gifted individuals. But it often happens that it is appropriated by someone who has managed deftly and shamelessly to claim the fruits of another's labor. And then, without any pangs of conscience, to consider themselves a true genius. Today we will tell you about three women scientists who made great discoveries that went down in the history of world science. However, recognition would come to them much later. Because earlier the achievements of these talented women were grabbed up by colleagues, mentors, and even husbands.
Esther Lederberg
She was fanatically devoted to science and persistently pursued her goal. And she soon achieved a fantastic result: she described the mechanism of gene transfer in bacteria. Her discovery in bacterial genetics was truly revolutionary. We note that all the cutting-edge ideas belonged solely to Esther. This was well understood by her husband, Joshua Lederberg, who also took part in the years-long research.
But fate decided to play a cruel trick on Esther. In 1957 only Joshua received the Nobel Prize. At the presentation of the prestigious award he was beaming with happiness and in his speech did not even drop a word about his talented wife. Although the lion's share of the scientific merit belonged precisely to her. Perhaps ordinary male egoism played its part here – the desire to always be first.
Esther would not tolerate such a betrayal and was the first to file for divorce. She would continue her research in the field of bacterial genetics and gain recognition in the global scientific community.
Lise Meitner
Lise in 1906 in Vienna brilliantly defended her doctoral dissertation, and her desire to work in Paris together with the legendary Marie Curie was entirely justified. But the latter suddenly refused. Then Lise met the famous chemist Otto Hahn, with whom she would soon be bound by years of scientific collaboration.
Later, two articles by Lise Meitner on beta radiation, published in a respected journal, would create a real sensation among physicists. And her brilliant intuition and talent as a pioneer now no longer raised any doubt in anyone. Meitner's transfer to the radiochemistry department would be marked by the great discovery of nuclear fission. And here earthly passions, far removed from lofty ideas, unexpectedly intrude into the rational world of science.
Otto Hahn did not even bat an eye when he decided to claim full authorship of the discovery of the century. And he received the Nobel Prize. And Lise Meitner found herself left out of world fame. But justice would triumph after all. As a token of recognition of the scientific merits of one of the most gifted women of the last century, a new element in the periodic table would be named after her – meitnerium.
Susan Jocelyn Bell
The talented astrophysicist Susan Jocelyn Bell would become the author of a great and unique discovery. She would be the first to notice the strange, unusual movement of celestial bodies, which would later be called pulsars. And while Bell rejoiced in her success, her mentor – Antony Hewish, together with Dr. Martin Ryle, hastened to publish articles. In essence, having robbed their colleague, they claimed the right of authorship of the discovery for themselves. And as is customary in such cases, they basked in the rays of another's glory, ultimately receiving the Nobel Prize. The deed of these learned gentlemen aroused the fury and indignation of Hewish's student – the astronomer Fred Hoyle.
And it would take half a century for Bell's contributions to the field of fundamental physics to be properly appreciated. She would be awarded a special monetary prize of 3 million dollars. And Susan Jocelyn Bell would use these funds to establish a foundation that would help talented people on their path to science.
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