A legend in his own lifetime: double Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling – a prominent American chemist, biochemist, chemical engineer, peace activist, author, and educator – was one of the scientists-humanists whose life echoed the key milestones of the 20th century and who could be compared with Leonardo da Vinci in terms of the breadth of interests and creative achievements. He is one of the four scientists to have won two Nobel Prizes (the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1954; the Nobel Peace Prize 1962) and the only one to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes. As a result of his long-lasting research, Pauling formulated a theory of structure and function of proteins; studied the effect of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin on its magnetic properties, laid the foundations for structural analysis of protein molecules, made a contribution to the study of antibodies. Believing that people had to develop a new type of thinking for the sake of the survival of humanity, Linus Pauling spoke out strongly against nuclear testing, and the contemporary world is indebted to Pauling for his courage and moral leadership in reminding us about the dangers of nuclear war. The versatile innovative activities of the brilliant scientist and humanist Linus Pauling, his unconventional personality, and the huge scientific heritage have left a deep mark in the history of humankind.