Life and achievements
Early life
Linus Carl Pauling was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 28, 1901. His father was a pharmacist named Herman Pauling, and his mother was Belle Darling Pauling, a homemaker. Linus Pauling’s father died in 1910 when Linus was only nine years old, which made him have to work to support his mother and siblings, thus making him a very independent person. Pauling’s interest in science started when he was a child, and he constructed his first chemistry laboratory in the basement of his house.
In his childhood, he performed chemical experiments that he could either get or prepare from other sources, which showed his interest in science. Pauling was a bright student in his academic pursuits, which was seen in his early years of learning. He did his first three years of high school at Washington High School but dropped out and did not graduate, finding many of his classes uninteresting and unrelated to his interests.
He joined Oregon Agricultural College when he was 16 years old. It was here that his love for chemistry was well nurtured. Influenced by the teachers, he continued his passion for molecular structures and chemical bonds, which formed the basis of his future research. Pauling completed his BSc in 1922 and then proceeded to do his Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology, which he would attend for most of his academic career. His doctoral thesis was on the crystallographic studies of crystals by X-ray diffraction, which can be considered a precursor to his future work in molecular biology and quantum chemistry.
Legacy
The contributions of Linus Pauling in science, medicine, and social activism are still felt to this day. As a quantum chemist, molecular biologist, and a leading figure promoting the culture of peace in the twentieth century, Pauling is one of the most famous scientists. His research on the chemical bond is considered one of the most influential works in chemistry and is still used in the current curriculum. Pauling’s work on the protein structures, such as the alpha-helix, helped identify the DNA double helix by James Watson and Francis Crick.
As Francis Crick himself admitted, Pauling was the ‘father of molecular biology’ because he was one of the first to understand the concept of molecular structures. Pauling was an outstanding scientist who paid much attention to humanitarian issues. He was a staunch supporter of the disarmament of nuclear weapons and fought for the ban of atmospheric nuclear tests in the middle of the Cold War. His efforts in the fight against atomic fallout earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.
This, together with his Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954, made Pauling the only man to have both unshared Nobel Prizes. Pauling’s political activism came under scrutiny during the McCarthy era. Still, he did not waver, and his efforts towards promoting peace have been a source of inspiration to many peace activists. His further research on orthomolecular medicine, including his somewhat questionable theories about the positive effects of large doses of vitamin C, is still a subject of discussion.
Although many of his ideas were considered heresies by the members of the medical profession, Pauling’s ideas about health and nutrition are still being investigated regarding the use of vitamins in the prevention and cure of diseases. His work was published as a book titled Vitamin C and the Common Cold, which made people aware of his research in nutritional science.
The legacy of Pauling is further continued by the institutions and honours named in his honour. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, home to his papers, is still conducting research in nutrition and health. The Linus Pauling Science Center at Oregon State University, constructed in 2011 to focus on chemistry and health research, is a testament to his contribution to society through his research. Pauling’s impact, however, is not limited to science and health, as he was also a man of principles who believed in applying science for the good of society.
Milestone moments
Feb 1, 1925
Ph.D. Completion at California Institute of Technology
Linus Pauling received his Ph.D. in chemistry, and his thesis work was on crystal structures with the help of X-ray diffraction.
His doctoral thesis provided the basis for his future significant contributions to quantum chemistry and the investigation of molecular structures.
Pauling’s Ph.D. work focused on molecular science, making him one of the pioneers in crystallography.
This period can be considered the start of his collaboration with Caltech, his primary institution for many years.
His dissertation was revolutionary work in atomic structures, paving the way for his future achievements.
Jul 1, 1939
Publication of The Nature of the Chemical Bond
Pauling’s magnum opus, The Nature of the Chemical Bond, revolutionized chemistry by describing molecular geometry and the hybridization theory.
This book was to become a bible for generations of chemists and made Pauling one of the most influential chemists of the age.
In this work, Pauling explained the quantum mechanics of chemistry to explain how atoms combine to form molecules.
His ideas on hybrid orbitals and electronegativity scales were to become standard in the chemist’s armory, making the book one of the most essential chemistry texts of the twentieth century.
Aug 12, 1951
The Discovery of the Alpha Helix Structure of Proteins
His research helped identify the alpha helix, a vital protein structure later used to study DNA.
This discovery was crucial in molecular biology and biochemistry and paved the way for Watson and Crick's discovery of the DNA structure.
Pauling’s contribution to studying proteins was revolutionary in understanding how biological macromolecules work structurally.
His work on the structure of proteins and the application of X-ray diffraction in determining the structure of biological macromolecules were remarkable.
Oct 1, 1954
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Pauling received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his studies of the structure of chemical bonds.
He is also well known for his contribution to quantum chemistry, where he developed new ways of understanding atomic and molecular interactions.
This honor further cemented Pauling’s position as a leading chemist and acknowledged his work advancing our knowledge of molecular structures.
His work on chemical bonds greatly affected chemistry and knowledge of molecular structures.