Edited By Darryl S.
Review & Contribution By Erik L. Cato
Throughout history, numerous scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries and inventions that have revolutionized our understanding of the world. These individuals have pushed the boundaries of human knowledge, and their contributions have profoundly impacted various fields of science. Here, we explore the top 10 scientists who have changed the world with their remarkable achievements and advancements in their respective fields. It is important to note that this list is subjective, and many other scientists have also played a crucial role in changing the world.
Table Of Contents
1. Albert Einstein
Swiss Federal Polytechnic (Zurich)
Studied: Physics & Mathematics
Albert Einstein, one of the most influential scientists in history, transformed the world with his groundbreaking theories and discoveries. Born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany, Einstein showed an early aptitude for mathematics and physics. He attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, where he studied physics and mathematics.
After graduating in 1900, Einstein worked as a patent examiner at the Swiss Patent Office while continuing his scientific research. In 1905, he published four groundbreaking papers that revolutionized physics, including the theory of relativity and the famous equation E=mc^2. Einstein’s work laid the foundation for modern physics and led to numerous technological advancements and our understanding of the universe.
2. Isaac Newton
King’s School in Grantham, Trinity College, Cambridge
Studied: Mathematics, Physics & Philosophy
Isaac Newton, a renowned physicist, mathematician, and astronomer, is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history. Born on January 4, 1643, in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, England, Newton’s educational background was crucial in shaping his remarkable contributions to science.
Newton attended the King’s School in Grantham and later enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1661. He studied various subjects at Cambridge, including mathematics, physics, and philosophy. His passion for learning led him to explore various fields of study and conduct groundbreaking research.
Newton’s education at Cambridge exposed him to the works of prominent scientists and philosophers of his time, such as Galileo Galilei and René Descartes. These influences greatly impacted his scientific thinking and laid the foundation for his revolutionary discoveries.
3. Charles Darwin
Shrewsbury School, University of Edinburgh, Christ’s College, Cambridge
Studied: Science & Mathematics, Medicine, Theology, History (BA)
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who is best known for his theory of evolution through natural selection. He was born to a wealthy family on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England. His father, Robert Waring Darwin, was a physician, and his mother, Susannah Wedgwood, was the daughter of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood.
Darwin’s educational background was quite impressive. He attended Shrewsbury School from 1818 to 1825, where he excelled in science and mathematics. After completing his schooling, he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to study medicine, but he found the curriculum too dull and focused on natural history instead. In 1827, he transferred to Christ’s College, Cambridge, to continue his theology studies to become an Anglican parson. However, his interests soon shifted towards natural history, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1831.
In 1835, Darwin embarked on a five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle as a naturalist and companion to Captain Robert FitzRoy. During this journey, he collected numerous specimens and observed various species, which later formed the basis of his groundbreaking book, “On the Origin of Species.”
4. Marie Curie
Sorbonne University
Studied: Physics & Mathematics
Marie Curie, originally named Maria Skłodowska, was born on November 7, 1867. She emerged as a physicist and chemist of Polish origin, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific domain by making revolutionary contributions. Her most notable achievements revolve around her trailblazing investigation into radioactivity, which identified two novel elements: polonium and radium. The formative underpinning of Curie’s education played an essential role in shaping her transformative endeavors.
Commencing her educational journey in Warsaw, Poland, Curie showcased exceptional prowess in physics and mathematics. Despite contending with gender-based biases, she made the decision to relocate to Paris to advance her studies at the esteemed Sorbonne University. Within those halls, she secured degrees in physics and mathematics, etching her name in history as the foremost woman to secure a Nobel Prize and the solitary individual to clinch Nobel Prizes across two distinct scientific domains. The trajectory of Curie’s educational odyssey laid the cornerstone for her extraordinary scientific accomplishments and her enduring influence on the world.
5. Nikola Tesla
Higher Real Gymnasium (Karlovac), Austrian Polytechnic (Graz)
Studied: Physics & Mathematics
Nikola Tesla, a renowned inventor and electrical engineer, is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions that transformed the world. Born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Croatia, Tesla displayed exceptional intellectual abilities from an early age. His educational background played a significant role in shaping his innovative mindset. Tesla attended the Higher Real Gymnasium in Karlovac and later enrolled at the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz. He excelled in physics and mathematics, which laid the foundation for his future achievements.
Tesla’s most notable achievements include developing alternating current (AC) electrical systems widely used for power distribution today. He also made significant advancements in the design of electric motors, transformers, and wireless energy transmission. Tesla’s innovations laid the foundation for the electrification of the world and revolutionized various industries. Tesla continued his education at the University of Prague, studying philosophy and physics. However, he was unable to complete his degree due to financial constraints. Despite this setback, Tesla’s insatiable curiosity and self-education propelled him to become one of history’s most influential inventors.
6. Galileo Galilei
University of Pisa
Studied: Medicine, Mathematics & Natural Philosophy
Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the scientific revolution. Born on February 15, 1564, in Pisa, Italy, Galileo’s educational background was crucial in shaping his revolutionary ideas. He initially studied medicine at the University of Pisa but soon shifted his focus to mathematics and natural philosophy.
Galileo’s passion for astronomy led him to make groundbreaking discoveries using the newly invented telescope. His observations of the moon’s surface, Jupiter’s moons, and sunspots challenged the prevailing geocentric model of the universe and supported the heliocentric theory proposed by Copernicus.
Galileo’s educational background gave him the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct rigorous experiments and develop mathematical models to explain natural phenomena.
7. Louis Pasteur
Royal College of Besançon, École Normale Supérieure (Paris)
Studied: Letters & Sciences (BS), Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
Louis Pasteur was a renowned French scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of microbiology and immunology. Born on December 27, 1822, in Dole, France, Pasteur’s educational background shaped his scientific career.
He initially studied at the Royal College of Besançon and later enrolled at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Pasteur earned his bachelor’s degree in letters and sciences before pursuing a doctorate in physical sciences. His doctoral research focused on crystallography, which laid the foundation for his future work in chemistry and biology.
Pasteur’s educational journey gave him a strong foundation in scientific principles and methodologies, enabling him to conduct rigorous experiments and make significant discoveries. His work on fermentation led to the development of pasteurization, a process that kills harmful bacteria in food and beverages. Pasteur also played a pivotal role in disproving the theory of spontaneous generation and establishing the germ theory of disease, which revolutionized medicine.
8. Alexander Fleming
Louden Moor School, Darvel School, Kilmarnock Academy, St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School (London)
Studied: Medicine
Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist, is renowned for his groundbreaking discovery of penicillin, a revolutionary antibiotic that transformed the world of medicine. Born on August 6, 1881, in Lochfield, Scotland, Fleming’s educational background was crucial to his scientific achievements. He attended Louden Moor School and Darvel School before enrolling at Kilmarnock Academy. Later, he pursued a medical degree at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London.
Fleming’s educational journey equipped him with the necessary knowledge and skills to embark on his remarkable scientific career. His studies in bacteriology and immunology laid the foundation for future research endeavors. Fleming made significant contributions to medical science throughout his career, including his discovery of penicillin in 1928. This accidental finding revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections and saved countless lives
9. Rosalind Franklin
St. Paul’s Girls’ School (London), Newnham College, Cambridge, University of Cambridge
Studied: Science & Mathematics, Physical Chemistry, Coal & Carbon Materials (Doctorate)
Rosalind Franklin, born on July 25, 1920, was a British chemist and crystallographer who made significant contributions to understanding the structure of DNA. Her educational background played a crucial role in shaping her career and achievements.
Franklin attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London, where she excelled in science and mathematics. She then studied natural sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge, specializing in physical chemistry. Franklin later pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge, focusing on studying coal and carbon materials.
Her expertise in X-ray crystallography led her to work at King’s College London, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the structure of DNA fibers. Franklin’s work laid the foundation for James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA.
10. Carl Sagan
University of Chicago
Studied: Physics (BA, MS), Astronomy & Astrophysics (Doctorate)
Carl Sagan was an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, and science communicator. He was born on November 9, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York City, and passed away on December 20, 1996. Sagan is best known for his popular science books and his television series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage,” which became one of the most widely watched series in the history of American public television.
Sagan’s passion for science began at a young age. He attended the University of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics in 1955 and a Master of Science degree in physics in 1956. He then pursued his Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics at the same institution and completed it in 1960.
During his career, Sagan held various academic positions. He served as a professor of astronomy and space sciences at Cornell University from 1968 until his death. Additionally, he was a consultant and adviser to NASA and played a significant role in several space missions, including the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo missions.
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