Harriet Brooks: Pioneer Nuclear Scientist [Paperback]

Marelene F. Rayner-Canham (Author), Geoffrey W. Rayner-Canham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1994

Harriet Brooks (1876-1933) was one of the first researchers in the field of radioactivity. Ernest Rutherford called her the best woman scientist in the field next to Marie Curie. She worked with Rutherford, J.J. Thompson, and Curie, and her achievements include identifying "emanation" (radon) and discovering the recoil of the radioactive atom. Yet, in spite of her contributions, this is the first biography of Brooks' life and work. After completing a master's degree at McGill University under Rutherford's tutelage, Brooks continued her postgraduate work at Bryn Mawr College and Cambridge University, eventually returning to McGill to work again with Rutherford. In 1904 she left Canada to work at Barnard College in New York City, and then with Curie in Paris. Brooks had a significant career as a nuclear scientist, but her success was hampered by the fact that she was a woman. In "Harriet Brooks", Marelene and Geoffrey Rayner-Canham pay close attention to Brooks' struggle to overcome conventions, looking at the problems facing Brooks, and women like her, who pursued a college education and an academic career. She eventually married and left research. Her premature death at age 56 was probably related to her work with radiation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fills a significant gap, not only in the contribution of women to science but for the accurate representation of the early history of the theory of the transmutation of elements." M.H. Chaplin, Choice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mcgill Queens Univ Pr (August 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773512543
• ISBN-13: 978-0773512542
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,162,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars My past live.., August 30, 2000

By 

Gregory Morrison (Tenn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harriet Brooks: Pioneer Nuclear Scientist (Hardcover)

In my past life I was Ms. Brooks. I was born in 1873 and died in 1933. I had 3 children. I died at an earlier age due to radariation. I know live in the body of man named Gregory Morrison. Mr. Morrison had not idea that I was in the light before and now here. I have waited for the right moment to let him know this. Mr. Morrison is handing everything very well. I hope that he will achieve those things in his life time that I did not or was not able to achieve. Mr. Morrison is married and has 2 children of his own. His children are from the light too. We come back and forth from the world sometime only once but sometimes 2 or 3 times in our new life or heavely place. Again it is nice to be able to walk on the earth and see and do those things that I never really had the the chance to do. Driving a new car, having the proper medical care when needed, cable TV, and just a better life totally. Once again thank you for reading this letter and may you travel in peace too. Ms. Brooks