# Margaret Burbidge

> British-born American astronomer (1919–2020)

**Wikidata**: [Q235712](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235712)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Burbidge)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/margaret-burbidge

## Summary
Margaret Burbidge was a British-born American astronomer (1919–2020) who made groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics, particularly in understanding the origin of chemical elements. She was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and a professor at multiple prestigious institutions, including the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Chicago.

## Biography
- Born: August 12, 1919, in London, England
- Nationality: British (born), American (naturalized)
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of London (1940)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge (1948)
- Known for: Pioneering the B²FH paper on the origin of chemical elements through stellar nucleosynthesis
- Employer(s):
  - University College London (1946–1950)
  - University of California, San Diego (1950–1955)
  - University of Chicago (1955–1984)
  - Yerkes Observatory (1955–1984)
- Field(s): Astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, stellar evolution

## Contributions
Margaret Burbidge co-authored the B²FH paper (1957) with Geoffrey Burbidge, William Alfred Fowler, and Fred Hoyle, which proposed that most chemical elements heavier than helium are synthesized in stars through nuclear fusion. This theory, known as stellar nucleosynthesis, revolutionized our understanding of the universe's chemical composition. Her work laid the foundation for modern astrophysics and earned her international recognition, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society and the National Medal of Science. She also made significant contributions to the study of stellar evolution and the development of astrophysical models.

## FAQs
**What was Margaret Burbidge's most significant contribution to astronomy?**
Margaret Burbidge's most significant contribution was co-authoring the B²FH paper (1957), which proposed that most chemical elements heavier than helium are synthesized in stars through nuclear fusion. This theory, known as stellar nucleosynthesis, fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe's chemical composition.

**Where did Margaret Burbidge work during her career?**
Margaret Burbidge worked at the University College London from 1946 to 1950, the University of California, San Diego from 1950 to 1955, and the University of Chicago from 1955 to 1984. She was also affiliated with the Yerkes Observatory during the same period.

**What educational background did Margaret Burbidge have?**
Margaret Burbidge earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of London in 1940 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 1948.

**What awards did Margaret Burbidge receive?**
Margaret Burbidge received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, the National Medal of Science, the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship, and the Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy.

**What was the B²FH paper, and why was it important?**
The B²FH paper, co-authored by Margaret Burbidge, Geoffrey Burbidge, William Alfred Fowler, and Fred Hoyle, proposed that most chemical elements heavier than helium are synthesized in stars through nuclear fusion. This theory, known as stellar nucleosynthesis, was a groundbreaking discovery that revolutionized astrophysics and our understanding of the universe's chemical composition.

## Why They Matter
Margaret Burbidge's work fundamentally altered our understanding of the universe's chemical composition. Her B²FH paper, published in 1957, proposed that most chemical elements heavier than helium are synthesized in stars through nuclear fusion, a theory now known as stellar nucleosynthesis. This discovery laid the foundation for modern astrophysics and earned her international recognition, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society and the National Medal of Science. Burbidge's contributions to the field of astrophysics have influenced generations of scientists and continue to shape our understanding of the cosmos. Her legacy as a pioneer in nuclear astrophysics and stellar evolution remains a cornerstone of modern astronomy.

## Notable For
- **B²FH Paper**: Co-authored the groundbreaking B²FH paper on stellar nucleosynthesis, which revolutionized our understanding of the origin of chemical elements.
- **Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society**: Awarded the prestigious Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society for her contributions to astrophysics.
- **National Medal of Science**: Received the National Medal of Science, the highest scientific honor in the United States, for her pioneering work in nuclear astrophysics.
- **Henry Norris Russell Lectureship**: Awarded the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship for her significant contributions to the field of astronomy.
- **Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy**: Received the Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy for her early-career contributions to observational or theoretical astronomy.
- **Fellow of the Royal Society**: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific societies in the world.
- **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for her outstanding contributions to the field of astrophysics.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Margaret Burbidge was born on August 12, 1919, in London, England. She attended the University of London, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1940. She continued her education at the University of Cambridge, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy in 1948. Her academic background in mathematics and astronomy laid the foundation for her groundbreaking work in astrophysics.

### Career and Research
Margaret Burbidge began her career at the University College London from 1946 to 1950, where she conducted early research in stellar spectroscopy. She then moved to the University of California, San Diego, from 1950 to 1955, where she continued her work on stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. In 1955, she joined the University of Chicago and the Yerkes Observatory, where she remained until her retirement in 1984. During her tenure at the University of Chicago, she co-authored the B²FH paper with Geoffrey Burbidge, William Alfred Fowler, and Fred Hoyle, which proposed the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. This paper, published in 1957, revolutionized astrophysics and earned her international recognition.

### Teaching and Mentorship
Margaret Burbidge was a distinguished professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Chicago, where she taught and mentored generations of astronomers. Her teaching and mentorship contributed to the development of astrophysics and inspired many students to pursue careers in the field.

### Awards and Recognition
Margaret Burbidge received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to astronomy. She was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, the National Medal of Science, the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship, and the Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy. These awards recognized her pioneering work in stellar nucleosynthesis and her significant impact on the field of astrophysics.

### Legacy and Influence
Margaret Burbidge's legacy continues to influence the field of astronomy. Her B²FH paper, published in 1957, laid the foundation for modern astrophysics and our understanding of the universe's chemical composition. Burbidge's contributions to the study of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis have earned her a place among the most influential astronomers of the 20th century. Her work has inspired generations of scientists and continues to shape our understanding of the cosmos.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/science-obituaries/7522978/Geoffrey-Burbidge.html)
2. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/84933/Margaret-Burbidge)
3. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/women/article-9018118)
4. Watcher of the skies
5. [Source](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/professor-e-margaret-burbidge-smiles-with-her-15-year-old-news-photo/3303003)
6. [Source](http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/223629/view)
7. NNDB
8. [Source](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016890029090235X)
9. [Source](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0375947469902693)
10. [Source](http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Galaxy-like-a-3-year-old-with-bodybuilder-2565422.php)
11. [Source](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/10/10/MNGSEF53O01.DTL)
12. [Source](http://www.angelfire.com/az/BIGBANGisWRONG/)
13. [Source](https://profiles.ucsd.edu/margaret.burbidge)
14. [Source](https://aas.org/grants-and-prizes/helen-b-warner-prize-astronomy)
15. [Source](https://aas.org/grants-and-prizes/henry-norris-russell-lectureship)
16. [Source](https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=62)
17. [Source](http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/brucemedalists/burbidgem/)
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. CiNii Research
20. MusicBrainz
21. www.nasonline.org
22. [Source](https://www.amacad.org/person/eleanor-margaret-burbidge)
23. SNAC
24. FemBio database
25. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/science/space/e-margaret-burbidge-dead.html)
26. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
27. nobelprize.org
28. [Source](http://www.patheos.com/blogs/monkeymind/2015/08/margaret-burbidge-tells-us-we-are-all-stardust.html)