Children of the Sklodowski family, Polish, c1870-1875. Left to right: Zosia, Hela, Maria (Marie Curie 1867-1934), Joseph and Bronya. Photographer: Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images The Print Collector / Alamy Stock Photo
Studying as a woman
Maria Salomea Skłodowska was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 7 1867, the youngest of five children to a family of teachers. Learning was highly valued at home, and Marie loved studying science.
Children of the Sklodowski family, Polish, c1870-1875. Left to right: Zosia, Hela, Maria (Marie Curie 1867-1934), Joseph and Bronya. Photographer: Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images The Print Collector / Alamy Stock Photo
Central and Eastern Europe in 1900 showing the extent of the three empires that partitioned the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The various provincial regions featured in this website are delineated here with the fifteen gubernia of the Pale of Settlement distinct from Congress Poland http://easteurotopo.org/
Poland had been taken over by the Russian Empire. For a young Polish girl, this meant harsh treatment at school, and constant testing in Russian. However, Marie excelled in her class, and managed to graduate with a gold medal.
Unfortunately, formal schooling for girls in Poland ended strictly at 15. Marie decided to join the secret 'Floating University', organized by several Polish intellectuals. At least one thousand young women were educated in this way.
Being Poor
In order to attend the Sorbonne in France where women could pursue higher education, Marie and her sister Bronya created a pact:
"They would work as a relay team. Bronya would depart for study in Paris within the year. Marie would work as a governess, helping out her father and supporting Bronya. Then, once Bronya was established in a profession, she would help Marie to follow her."
Quinn, 67
Manya Sklodowska (Marie Curie) and her sister Bronya (seated), 1886. The future Nobel Prizewinning physicist before she left her native Poland for France. Photographer: Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images
Marie was hired to teach the daughters of a rich family, but one of her pupils was only a year younger than her! Eventually, she met the eldest son who was home for the holidays and the two fell in love. However, the family disapproved.
Marie was heartbroken, and in 1887 she wrote to her brother: "If they don't want to marry poor young girls, let them go to the devil!"
~ Robert Heinlein