Lise Meitner

Born in Vienna in 1878 in a liberal and educated family of Jewish origin. Her father, attorney, was a strong support for the career aspirations of all his children.

It was not easy for a woman to pursue higher education, but Lise overcame the numerous obstacles and got the bachelor’s degree in 1901 with an external exam in a masculine institute.

Since 1899 women could study in Vienna University, where she studied Physics and passed the doctorate exam with an outstanding grade unanimity. In 1907 she moved to Berlin to train with Max Planck, although it was not unusual, he accepted her in his lectures.

Lise got a laboratory in Keiser Wilhelm Institute of Berlin to make an experimental work with Otto Hahn, in the Institute basements and with the proviso of not moving to another Institute department. There she worked until she had to flee to Sweden in 1938.

With her nephew O. Frish explained, coining the term “nuclear fission”, the experiment carried out by O. Hahn (for which she was granted the Chemistry Nobel Prize in 1944). Although she did not receive the Nobel Prize.

Lisa Meitner obtained numerous medals, doctorates honoris causa and various awards. She remined single all her life and passed away in England in 1968.