1852-1908

French Physicist

Henri Becquerel had already established himself as a respected French physicist when his discovery of radioactivity, in 1896, catapulted him into the ranks of the world's leading scientists. Although the discovery was unexpected, it was not random. Becquerel's background, experience, and particular circumstances positioned him for this historic event.

His background began with his ancestors. Becquerel's father, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel (1820-1891), and his grandfather, Antoine César Becquerel (1788-1878), had each been the physics professor at the Natural History Museum in Paris. Edmond Becquerel was especially interested in phosphorescence. He assembled a large collection of luminescent minerals for the Museum.

Edmond Becquerel's son, Antoine Henri (known as Henri), decided to follow the path that his father and grandfather had chosen. This path gave him the experience, and later the professional positions, that proved to be crucial for his future. Henri Becquerel entered...