Top 10 Greatest Scientists of All Time

The only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines (Physics and Chemistry). Her groundbreaking research into radioactivity ultimately cost her her life.

Redefined the universe with his general and special theories of relativity. His genius became synonymous with the word intelligence itself.

Formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation. His masterpiece Principia Mathematica is regarded as one of the most important scientific books ever written.

The visionary genius behind alternating current (AC), radio technology and induction motors. His ideas were decades ahead of their time and still power our modern electricity grids.

Broke with centuries-old religious dogma by showing that all life forms descend from common ancestors through natural selection.

Founder of microbiology. He discovered that microorganisms cause disease, developed vaccines against rabies and anthrax, and invented pasteurization.

Groundbreaking theoretical physicist who unraveled the secrets of black holes (Hawking radiation) and the Big Bang, despite his decades-long battle with ALS.

Father of modern computer science and artificial intelligence. At Bletchley Park he cracked the German Enigma code, saving an estimated millions of lives.

Essential to our understanding of atomic structure and early quantum mechanics. His debates with Einstein about the nature of reality are legendary.

Stood up to the Inquisition to defend the idea that the Earth moves. His observations of Jupiter's moons dealt a fatal blow to the geocentric worldview.