Wolfgang Ernst Pauli, 1900-1958

Abstract

Wolfgang Pauli was born on 25 April 1900 in Vienna. His father, Wolfgang Joseph Pauli, was distinguished as a biochemist and was a Professor in the University of Vienna; previously he had practised as a doctor, and his patients included many prominent figures in Vienna society. The mother, Bertha, née Schütz, was a writer and had many contacts in the world of the theatre and the press. It is probable that this background and the acquaintance with the leading authorities in many fields had a profound effect in creating the high standards and the impatience with anything but the best of its kind, which became later an important characteristic of the young Pauli. The young Wolfgang showed early signs of exceptional ability. He was outstanding at school in scientific subjects and particularly in mathematics, and first-rate in all other subjects, except in languages in which his performance was good but not exceptional. He was probably a ‘bookish’ child and was not interested in games, though he was, and remained throughout his life, fond of walking, particularly in the mountains, and of swimming. As a small child he disliked fairy tales, which seemed to worry him. As a growing boy he was fascinated by books like those of Jules Verne, and he later developed a special interest in astronomy. His younger sister, Hertha (now Mrs Ashton), had to serve as an audience for his current discoveries in astronomy, and he was most impatient when the audience did not respond adequately to the instruction. In 1918 he became a student in the University of Munich under A. Sommerfeld, and he obtained his Ph.D. there after three years, the shortest period allowed by the University regulations, and exceptionally short for a subject like theoretical physics.