Pierre Curie was born to well-educated and intelligent parents on May 15, 1859, in a house facing Jardin des Planets, rue Cuvier in Paris, France. The second son of Dr Eugène Curie, his only brother, Jacques, was three and a half years elder to him.

His father was a physician by profession. His grandfather was also a famous physician, who was established in London, whereas Eugène Curie chose to settle in Paris, working as preparator under Grariollet in the laboratories of the Museum.

Pierre’s mother, Clair Depouilly, was totally devoted to her family. She made the lives of her husband and two sons much comfortable with her loving nature. Always active, she knew very well how to make her simple home attractive and hospitable.

In Pierre words, his parents were ‘exquisite’. The circumstances in which Pierre grew up were modest, in a family close in affection and intellectual interests.

Childhood Days

Pierre spent his childhood within his family circle. Little Pierre was neither sent to school nor to the lycèe (a secondary school in France funded by the state). He received his initial education from his mother and later from his father and brother Jacques.

From his childhood, he was a dreamer and also a bit slow in reacting. Pierre himself admitted often that he was slow in thinking. His biography, written by his wife, the famous scientist Madame Curie mentions, "It is clear that a mind of this kind can hold within itself great future possibilities. But it is no less clear that no system of education has been especially provided by the public school for persons of this intellectual category, which nevertheless includes more representatives than one would believe at first sight."

Pierre loved nature from his early years. He was familiar with the animals and plants of his native place. He could tell which ones would be found in each season of the year in the field and forests, ponds and streams. In particular, the ponds, with the population of frogs, tritons, salamanders, and dragonflies fascinated the young boy. He never hesitated to pick up any object or animal to examine it closely. To observe the object of his interest, to find out the fact and to interpret it correctly – these habits had a decisive influence on Pierre’s development. Always grateful to his parents for giving him total freedom, he developed a taste for natural science wandering through the countryside, collecting plants and animals for his father. He loved to bring back bouquets of wild flowers.