John Polanyi
John Polanyi is a distinguished Canadian scientist renowned for his contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the area of molecular motions in chemical reactions. Born on January 23, 1929, in Berlin, Germany, he later moved to Manchester, England, before settling in Canada during his youth. Polanyi earned his degrees from the University of Manchester and continued his academic career at the University of Toronto, where he became a full professor and received the honorary title of university professor.
In 1986, Polanyi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Dudley Herschbach and Yuan Lee for their pioneering work in reaction dynamics, which examines how chemical reactions occur. His specific contributions include the development of infrared chemiluminescence, a technique that allows scientists to analyze the physical states of reactant molecules based on infrared emissions from products. Beyond his research, Polanyi is an advocate for nuclear disarmament and has received numerous accolades, including the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.
Polanyi's legacy includes the establishment of the John Charles Polanyi Prizes, which honor outstanding young researchers in Canada, and he has been recognized for his impact on human rights with the 2022 Andrei Sakharov Prize. He has also contributed to significant scientific literature and has held various prestigious memberships in scientific organizations. Throughout his life, Polanyi has balanced his professional achievements with a rich personal life, including a marriage to musician Anne Ferrar Davidson and later to artist Brenda Bury.
Subject Terms
John Polanyi
- Born: January 23, 1929
- Place of Birth: Berlin, Germany
Contribution: John Polanyi is a Canadian scientist who specializes in the molecular motions in chemical reactions. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986 for the development of reaction dynamics, a new field of chemistry.
Early Life and Education
John Charles Polanyi was born in Berlin, Germany, on January 23, 1929. His parents, Michael Polanyi and Magda Elizabeth Kemeny, were Hungarian. His father was also a scientist and professor of chemistry. The family moved from Germany to Manchester, England, when Polanyi was four years old. He spent three years living with a family in Toronto during World War II. He then studied at the University of Manchester, where his father was teaching. He earned his bachelor of science degree in 1949, his master of science degree in 1950, and his PhD in 1952, all from the University of Manchester.
Career
After completing his studies Polanyi returned to Canada for postdoctoral work at the National Research Council of Canada from 1952 to 1954 and then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University in New Jersey. Polanyi returned to Canada in 1956 when he became a lecturer at the University of Toronto. He remained at the University of Toronto throughout his career, becoming a full professor in 1962 and receiving the honorary title of university professor in 1974.
In 1986, Polanyi, Dudley Herschbach, and Yuan Lee received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their contributions to the emerging field of reaction dynamics, which studies in detail how chemical reactions take place. Specifically, Polanyi was cited for his work in developing the process of infrared chemiluminescence (often called “cold light”). Infrared chemiluminescence enables scientists to determine the physical states of certain reactant molecules based on product molecules’ infrared emissions.
In the decades since, Polanyi and his research group have explored such subjects as chemical reactions between organic molecules and inorganic surfaces, imprinting atomic and molecular structures on substrates, and imaging single molecular reactions, the latter of which may have practical applications for nanotechnology. Polanyi also continues to present at conferences and meetings, and to further the nuclear disarmament cause.
In addition to the Nobel Prize, Polanyi has received many other awards, prizes, and honorary degrees, including the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, and he has lectured at Harvard and Duke Universities, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Cambridge, among many others.
Polanyi was a founding member of the Canadian Pugwash Group and the Royal Society of Canada Committee on Scholarly Freedom, and a member of the Royal Societies of London, Edinburgh, and Canada. He also holds membership in the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Russian Academy of Sciences, among others. He was also a member of Canada’s National Advisory Board on Science and Technology and was named a companion of the Order of Canada. Polanyi’s papers have been published in numerous scientific journals, and he was coeditor of the 1979 book The Dangers of Nuclear War.
In 1987, the Ontario government established the John Charles Polanyi Prizes in his honor, which recognize exceptional work by young university researchers. In 2011, Polanyi appeared on a commemorative stamp issued to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry. Polanyi was also awarded the 2022 Andrei Sakharov Prize, an honor given to scientists who have made a significant impact in championing human rights.
Personal Life
Polanyi married Anne “Sue” Ferrar Davidson, a musician and pianist, in 1958. They had two children. Polanyi later married artist Brenda Bury in 2004.
Bibliography
“Dr. John Polanyi Wins Canada’s Most Prestigious Science Award.” NSERC-CRSNG, 25 Sept. 2009, www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/FundingDecisions-DecisionsFinancement/Polanyi-Polanyi‗eng.asp. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
Hall, Joseph. “Not Resting on His (Nobel) Laurels.” Toronto Star, 21 Nov. 2009, www.thestar.com/news/gta/not-resting-on-his-nobel-laurels/article‗6a58a316-99dd-5f86-8561-644fcc125ad3.html. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
“John C. Polanyi – Biographical.” NobelPrize.org, 2024, www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1986/polanyi/biographical/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
“John Polanyi Receives American Physical Society's Andrei Sakharov Prize." University of Toronto, 21 Oct. 2021, www.utoronto.ca/celebrates/john-polanyi-receives-american-physical-society-s-andrei-sakharov-prize. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
Lewis, Jessica. “Canada Post Unveils Stamp of U of T Chemist John Polanyi." University of Toronto, 28 Sept. 2011, www.utoronto.ca/news/canada-post-unveils-stamp-u-t-chemist-john-polanyi. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
Marsh, James. “Polanyi, John Charles.” Canadian Encyclopedia. 1 Nov. 2023, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/fr/article/polanyi-john-charles. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.