lise meitner

Lise Meitner was born in Vienna, Austria in 1878 as the third among eight children of Hedwig and Philipp Meitner. Her family was Jewish although they later distanced themselves from their Jewish past. During her childhood, Lise was already curious about math and science and had rational skepticism. Her parent's idealism, in which they wished for freedom, led the family toward an extraordinary intellectual atmosphere. All of the children, including five daughters, pursued an advanced education. Because women, by law, were excluded from Austrian universities as well as rigorous secondary schools until the end of 19th century, receiving an advanced education was extraordinary, especially for girls.

With her parent's support, Lise entered the University of Vienna in 1901, and she was awarded her doctorate degree in physics in 1906 as the second woman to earn a doctorate in that field from the University of Vienna. Despite her doctorate, there were no prospects for women in ph...