Endel Lippmaa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Endel Lippmaa
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| Born | 15 September 1930 |
| Died | 30 July 2015 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | Estonian |
Endel Lippmaa (born September 15, 1930 – died July 30, 2015) was an important Estonian scientist and politician. He served as a government minister twice.
He was the founder and chairman of the Science Council of the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics. He was also a respected professor at the Estonian Academy of Sciences. He was highly regarded for his work in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a way to study materials. In 1999, he was voted one of the 100 great Estonians of the 20th century.
Contents
Endel Lippmaa's Career
Science and Politics
In 1972, Endel Lippmaa became a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. He was part of the Academy's leadership for many years. He also led different science groups within the Academy.
Lippmaa did important work in physics. He wrote a famous paper in 1980. This paper showed that a special scientific method called high-resolution NMR could be used for rocks and minerals. Before this, people mostly thought it was only for organic or living things. His work helped scientists learn more about different materials.
During a time of big change in Estonia called the Singing Revolution, he was active in the Popular Front of Estonia. This group worked for Estonia's freedom. In 1989, he was elected to the new Soviet parliament.
In this parliament, he became well-known for finding and speaking out about secret documents. These documents were from the 1939 Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. This pact led to the Soviet Union taking over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1940. His work helped show the truth about this part of history.
When Estonia became fully independent from the Soviet Union, Lippmaa played a key role. From 1990 to 1991, he was the Minister for Eastern Affairs for the Republic of Estonia. Later, he helped start the Estonian Coalition Party. He also served as the Minister of European Affairs from 1995 to 1996. From 1996 to 1999, he was a member of the Estonian Parliament, called the Riigikogu.
About Endel Lippmaa
Early Life and Family
Endel Lippmaa was born in Tartu, Estonia. His father, Teodor Lippmaa, was a botanist, someone who studies plants. His mother's father, Jakob Mändmets, was a writer and journalist.
Endel Lippmaa finished Nõmme High School in 1948. He then studied at Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) and graduated in 1953. He specialized in oil shale technology, which is about how to use a certain type of rock for energy.
Endel Lippmaa was married to Helle Lippmaa. They had two sons, Jaak and Mikk.
Awards and Recognition
In 2000, Endel Lippmaa received the Order of the National Coat of Arms, II Class. This is a high honor given by the Estonian government.
