Walther H. Nernst (1864-1941)

Awarded the Prize “in recognition of his work in thermochemistry.”

German physical chemist. Nernst was born in Briesen, Germany on June 25, 1864. He acquired his doctorate at Wurzburg in 1887 then went to Leipzig University. He accepted Gottingen’s invitation to be the Physical Chemistry Chair, founded the Institute for Physical Chemistry Electrochemistry became its Director. In 1905 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry, later of Physics, in the University of Berlin, becoming Director of the Institute of Physics Chemistry in 1924. Nernst died in Berlin on November 18, 1941.