Rudolf Zahradník facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rudolf Zahradník
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Zahradník in 2012
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| Born | 20 October 1928 |
| Died | 31 October 2020 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Alma mater | University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague |
| Spouse(s) | Milena Zahradníková (m. ?; died 2020) |
| Awards | See Awards and honours |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Quantum chemistry |
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| Academic advisors | Jaroslav Koutecký |
| Notable students | Angela Merkel |
Rudolf Zahradník (born October 20, 1928 – died October 31, 2020) was a famous Czech chemist. He was an expert in quantum chemistry, which studies how tiny particles like atoms and molecules behave. He also specialized in molecular spectroscopy, which uses light to learn about molecules.
Zahradník held important research jobs. He was the first director of the J Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry. He also became the president of the Czech Academy of Sciences. After the Velvet Revolution, he led the Learned Society of the Czech Republic. In the 1980s, he even taught Angela Merkel, who later became a very important leader in Germany.
Early Life and Studies
Rudolf Zahradník was born in Bratislava on October 20, 1928. At that time, Bratislava was part of Czechoslovakia. As a child, he was a member of the Junák scout movement.
He became interested in chemistry after reading an article about invisible ink in grammar school. He went on to study chemistry at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague. He graduated in 1952. One of his teachers there was Jaroslav Koutecký. Four years later, he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the same university.
After some political changes in Czechoslovakia, Zahradník was able to get a research job. He studied how the structure of chemicals affects their biological activity. He also researched how chemicals react and how molecules interact with light. In 1967, he earned a higher degree called a Doctor of Science.
In 1959, Zahradník started teaching at Charles University. In 1961, he became the head of a group that studied quantum chemistry. During the 1980s, he taught Angela Merkel several times when she was doing an internship in Czechoslovakia. They stayed friends, and she even visited him on his 90th birthday.
Career After the Velvet Revolution
From 1990 to 1993, Rudolf Zahradník was the first director of the J Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry. After that, he joined Clarkson University. During this time, people said he was "pushing forward the frontiers of quantum chemistry". He also helped many young chemists get into the field.
From 1993 to 2001, he was the president of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In 1994, he helped start the Learned Society of the Czech Republic and was its first chairman until 1997. He received the Czech Republic's Medal of Merit in 1998. He also received the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art in 1999.
Zahradník received special honorary doctorates from several universities. These included TU Dresden and University of Fribourg in 1993. He also received them from the University of Pardubice and Georgetown University in 1994 and 1996. In 1998, he was honored by Charles University and Clarkson University.
He wrote more than 350 scientific papers and 10 books, mostly about quantum chemistry. Rudolf Zahradník passed away on October 31, 2020.
Awards and Honors
- Fellow of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic
- Member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
- Fellow of the World Association of Theoretical Organic Chemists (1982)
- Member of the Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences (1982)
- Medal of Slovak Institute of Technology (1989)
- J. Heyrovsky Gold Medal of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (1990)
- Member of the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Literature (1992)
- Gold Medal of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (1994)
- Member of the European Academy of Environmental Affairs (1994)
- Corresponding member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (1994)
- Founding member of the Engineering Academy of the Czech Republic (1995)
- Gold Medal of Charles University, Prague (1995)
- Marin Drinov Medal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1996)
- Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (1997)
- Honorary member of the Swiss Chemical Society (1998)
- Medal, J.M. Marci Spectroscopical Society (1998)
- Elected member of the Academia Europaea (1999)
- Austrian 1st Class Honorary Cross for Science and Arts (1999)
- Josef Hlávka Medal (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Rudolf Zahradník para niños
