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Birth
Niels Bohr was born on October 7, 1885. Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the second of three children. His father, Christian Bohr, was a professor at the University of Copenhagen, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize twice. -
University of Copenhagen
In 1903, Enrolled at the University of Copenhagen to study Physics. The research and study was done at the Polytechnic Institute. This facility was leased to the University of Copenhagen and this is where he would lay the basis for his work on the Atomic Model. -
PhD in Physics
Niels Bohr obtained his doctorates degree at the University of Copenhagen in 1911. His dissertation was on the electron theory of metals. Her elaborated on the free movement of electrons within the ionic core of the certain metal. -
Margrethe Nørlund
In August 1, 1912, Bohr happily married Margrethe Nørlund. She would serve as his most trusted advisor. They would later have six children. His fourth child, Aage Bohr, would later share his achievement in his third Nobel Prize. -
The Bohr Atomic Model
Also known as the Rutherford-Bohr atomic model, was proposed by Dr. Ernest Rutherford and Dr. Niels Bohr in 1913 as their post doctoral research at the University of Manchester, England. Later in the year, Bohr would write substantial articles in the Philosophical Magazine. -
Professorship of Theoretical Physics
In the spring of 1916, Bohr was offered his first professorship at the University of Copenhagen, his alma mater. He would conduct his work at the Polytechnic Institute. Later, he would propose the University of Copenhagen to create an institute as part of the campus. -
The Bohr Institute
On March 3, 1921, during this inaugural speech of his new establishment, the Institute for Theoretical Physics, he stressed two items. The first being that those who were conducting work there and the work that they are doing is indispensable. The other was that the institute was to be a place for fresh ideas and for young scientists to prosper. -
Hafnium
In 1922, Bohr was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work that developed a scheme building based upon the periodic table. This model was later confirmed and solidified by Hungarian Chemist Georg Hevesy and physicist Dirk Coster when they used this model to discover the element Hafnium in 1923. -
Support of Refugee Intellectual Workers
Bohr saw the effects of Adolf Hitler coming into power almost immediately. Many of his colleagues lost their jobs and futures due to their Jewish heritage. Bohr used his influence to help his colleagues as part of the executive board of the Danish Committee for the Support of Refugee Intellectual Workers. -
The Manhattan Project
Concerned of a similar project being conducted in Germany, Bohr willingly joined the Allies in conducting nuclear research with his son Aage Bohr. He would contribute to the design of the initiator for the plutonium contained within the bomb, but more importantly, he served as the groups confessor. -
Secret Message
Early in 1943, Niels Bohr received a message regarding engaging in scientific work to be done in England. This message was sent to him by his British colleague James Chadwick. Even in its vague nature, Bohr knew that this work was pointed toward fission, or the creation of a nuclear bomb. However, Bohr stated that there was a greater need for him in occupied Denmark. -
Legacy
Dr. Niels Bohr died in November 18, 1962 after he participated in the formation of CERN and Nordita. He would leave behind an unsurpassed legacy within the scientific community. He was seen as a hero, a teacher, a father, and a husband. He participated in events that guided the world as we know it and campaigned for the worlds safety.