# Harry Kroto

> British chemist (1939-2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q157250](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157250)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Kroto)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harry-kroto

## Summary
Harry Kroto was a British chemist (1939–2016) best known for his discovery of fullerenes, a class of carbon allotropes that revolutionized materials science and nanotechnology. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996, alongside Robert Curl and Richard Smalley.

## Biography
- Born: October 7, 1939
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education:
  - Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Sheffield (1960)
  - Doctorate in chemistry from the University of Sheffield (1963)
- Known for: Discovering fullerenes, a class of carbon allotropes
- Employer(s):
  - University of Sussex (1963–1965)
  - Florida State University (1965–1967)
  - University of Florida (1967–1970)
  - University of Sussex (1970–2016)
- Field(s): Chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, nanotechnology

## Contributions
- **Discovery of Fullerenes (1985)**: Kroto and his team synthesized C₆₀, the first stable fullerene molecule, using laser vaporization of graphite. This breakthrough laid the foundation for nanotechnology and carbon-based materials.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1996)**: Awarded for the discovery of fullerenes, recognizing their potential in materials science and nanotechnology.
- **Carbon Medal (1997)**: Received the American Carbon Society’s Carbon Medal for contributions to carbon science.
- **Key Publications**:
  - Co-authored seminal papers on fullerene synthesis and properties, including work published in *Nature* and *Science*.
- **Awards and Honors**:
  - Copley Medal (1996)
  - Michael Faraday Prize (1986)
  - Dalton Medal (1998)
  - Tilden Prize (1998)
  - James C. McGroddy Prize (1997)

## FAQs
**What was Harry Kroto’s most significant scientific achievement?**
Kroto’s most significant contribution was the discovery of fullerenes in 1985, a class of carbon allotropes that revolutionized materials science and nanotechnology.

**Where did Harry Kroto conduct his research?**
Kroto worked at the University of Sussex, Florida State University, and the University of Florida before returning to the University of Sussex, where he remained until his death.

**What awards did Harry Kroto receive?**
Kroto received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1996), the Copley Medal (1996), the Michael Faraday Prize (1986), the Dalton Medal (1998), the Tilden Prize (1998), and the James C. McGroddy Prize (1997).

**What is a fullerene, and why is it important?**
A fullerene is a molecule composed entirely of carbon, forming a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Kroto’s discovery of C₆₀ and other fullerenes opened new avenues in materials science, nanotechnology, and drug delivery systems.

## Why They Matter
Harry Kroto’s discovery of fullerenes transformed materials science, leading to advancements in nanotechnology, electronics, and medicine. His work laid the groundwork for carbon-based materials like graphene, influencing industries ranging from aerospace to pharmaceuticals. Kroto’s interdisciplinary approach bridged chemistry, physics, and engineering, inspiring generations of scientists. His legacy endures in the ongoing development of fullerene-based technologies, cementing his place as a pioneer in modern chemistry.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1996)**: Awarded for the discovery of fullerenes.
- **Discovery of C₆₀ (1985)**: First stable fullerene molecule synthesized.
- **Copley Medal (1996)**: Highest award from the Royal Society of London.
- **Carbon Medal (1997)**: Recognized for contributions to carbon science.
- **Michael Faraday Prize (1986)**: For science communication.
- **Dalton Medal (1998)**: For achievements in inorganic chemistry.
- **Tilden Prize (1998)**: Granted by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
- **James C. McGroddy Prize (1997)**: For new materials research.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Harry Kroto was born on October 7, 1939, in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Sheffield in 1960 and his doctorate in 1963, where he specialized in molecular spectroscopy.

### Career and Research
Kroto began his academic career at the University of Sussex in 1963, followed by stints at Florida State University (1965–1967) and the University of Florida (1967–1970). He returned to the University of Sussex in 1970, where he remained until his death in 2016.

### Discovery of Fullerenes
In 1985, Kroto and his team, including Robert Curl and Richard Smalley, discovered fullerenes using laser vaporization of graphite. Their synthesis of C₆₀, a stable fullerene molecule, marked a breakthrough in carbon chemistry, earning them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996.

### Awards and Recognition
Kroto received numerous prestigious awards, including the Copley Medal (1996), the Michael Faraday Prize (1986), the Dalton Medal (1998), the Tilden Prize (1998), and the James C. McGroddy Prize (1997). He was also an honorary doctor at multiple universities, including Tel Aviv University and the University of Madrid Complutense.

### Legacy and Influence
Kroto’s work on fullerenes paved the way for advancements in nanotechnology, materials science, and medicine. His interdisciplinary approach influenced fields ranging from quantum chemistry to biotechnology. His legacy continues to inspire research into carbon-based materials and nanoscale technologies.

### Publications and Contributions
Kroto authored key papers on fullerene synthesis and properties, contributing to journals like *Nature* and *Science*. His research laid the foundation for future innovations in carbon materials, including graphene and fullerene-based drugs.

### Memberships and Affiliations
Kroto was a member of the Royal Society, Academia Europaea, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Sciences of Turin. His affiliations spanned academia, research institutions, and scientific societies, reflecting his global impact.

### Personal and Professional Impact
Kroto’s work not only advanced scientific knowledge but also inspired public engagement with chemistry. His contributions to science communication, including the Michael Faraday Prize, highlighted the importance of making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public.

## References

1. www.accademiadellescienze.it
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. Find a Grave
4. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
5. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1996. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1996/summary/)
6. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
7. [Source](https://royalsociety.org/medals-and-prizes/michael-faraday-prize/)
8. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/find-a-prize/tilden-prizes/previous-winners/)
9. [Source](https://www.uhasselt.be/UH/OverUHasselt/feiten-en-cijfers/Eredoctoraten-lijst.html)
10. [Source](https://www.americancarbonsociety.org/home/about/awards/#carbon)
11. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/find-a-prize/longstaff-prize/previous-winners/)
12. [Source](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/mcgroddy.cfm)
13. [Source](https://www.eps.org/members/group_content_view.asp?group=85187&id=554142)
14. [Source](https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/vienne/un-nobel-pour-les-doctorants)
15. Graphene and graphite nanoribbons: Morphology, properties, synthesis, defects and applications
16. International Standard Name Identifier
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. CiNii Research
19. www.ae-info.org
20. [Source](https://royalsociety.org/people/harold-kroto-11773)
21. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
22. Munzinger Personen
23. [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/02/sir-harry-kroto-nobel-prize-winning-chemist-dies-carbon)
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. BBC Things
26. LIBRIS. 2018