Georg von Békésy was educated as a physicist, but is best known for his research on the physics of hearing. He was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize for medicine or physiology for his research on the physical mechanism of hearing, particularly with regard to the changes that take place within the cochlea. His discoveries have been important in the development of surgical procedures and prosthetic devices for the treatment of hearing disorders.

Békésy was born in Budapest, Hungary. His father was Alexander von Békésy, a member of the Hungarian diplomatic service, and his mother was the former Paula Mazaly. As his father was assigned to a variety of diplomatic posts, Georg grew up in a number of cities, including Münich, Constantinople (now Istanbul), and Zürich, as well as his native Budapest. He entered...