Linus
Pauling was awarded two Nobel Prizes - one for Chemistry in 1954
for helping identify sickle cell anemia as a molecular disease,
and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 for decades of advocating against
the testing and use of nuclear weapons, as well as the use of
war itself as a means of solving international conflicts. His
activism for a better world continued throughout his long life.
In 1974, he co-founded the International League of Humanists and
served as president of the World Union for Protection of Life,
an international scientific advisory board. During the Cold War,
Linus Pauling's stand for peace brought him criticism from both
the government and many of his colleagues, but it did not deter
his dedication to advocating for a more peaceful world. While
some in the scientific community disagreed with his political
stance, he was well-respected as a scientist and made numerous
contributions and breakthroughs in many different scientific fields
of study. Linus Pauling is considered to be one of the most important
scientists of the 20th century. In fact, in a poll in the prestigious
British periodical, New Scientist, Linus Pauling was listed
as one of the top 20 greatest scientists ever.
