Linus Carl Pauling was an American chemist, biochemist, peace activist, author, and educator. He was one of the most influential chemists in history and ranks among the most important scientists of the 20th century. Pauling was among the first scientists to work in the fields of quantum chemistry and molecular biology. Pauling is one of only four individuals to have won more than one Nobel Prize. He is one of only two people awarded Nobel Prizes in different fields , the other being Marie Curie , and the only person awarded two unshared prizes. Pauling was born in Portland, Oregon, as the... first-born child of Herman Henry William Pauling and Lucy Isabelle "Belle" Darling . He was named "Linus Carl," in honor of Lucy's father, Linus, and Herman's father, Carl. Herman and Lucy – then 23 and 18 years old, respectively – had met at a dinner party in Condon. Six months later, the two were married. Herman Pauling was descended from Prussian farmers, who had immigrated to a German settlement in Concordia, Missouri.
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