# Rita Levi-Montalcini

> Italian neurologist (1909–2012)

**Wikidata**: [Q185007](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185007)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Levi-Montalcini)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rita-levi-montalcini

## Summary
Rita Levi-Montalcini was an Italian neurologist, neuroscientist, and biochemist who lived from 1909 to 2012. Holding citizenship in Italy, the United States, and the Kingdom of Italy, she was employed by Washington University in St. Louis and dedicated her career to the field of neurobiology. Her scientific contributions were recognized globally with prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and the National Medal of Science, as well as membership in numerous leading scientific academies.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 22, 1909
- **Nationality:** Italy, United States, Kingdom of Italy
- **Education:** University of Turin
- **Known for:** Neurobiology
- **Employer(s):** Washington University in St. Louis
- **Field(s):** Neurology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Science, Medicine, Politics

## Contributions
Rita Levi-Montalcini's work in the field of neurobiology garnered significant international recognition, evidenced by her receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She was awarded the National Medal of Science in the United States and the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. Her contributions to biomedical science were further honored with the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, the Rosenstiel Award, and the Ralph W. Gerard Prize. Additionally, she received high civil honors, including the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, and the Order of Isabella the Catholic. Her professional standing was solidified through her election as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, the French Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, among many other learned societies.

## FAQs
**What awards did Rita Levi-Montalcini receive?**
She received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the National Medal of Science, the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

**Where did Rita Levi-Montalcini work?**
She was employed by Washington University in St. Louis, a private research university located in Missouri, United States.

**Where was Rita Levi-Montalcini educated?**
She was educated at the University of Turin, a public research university founded in 1404 and located in Turin, Italy.

**Which scientific academies was she a member of?**
She was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, the French Academy of Sciences, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.

**What were Rita Levi-Montalcini's fields of expertise?**
She worked as a neurologist, neuroscientist, biochemist, physician, and scientist, with a specific field of work in neurobiology.

## Why They Matter
Rita Levi-Montalcini matters for her pivotal role in the field of neurobiology, achieving the highest recognition in science through the Nobel Prize. Her dual citizenship and long career, spanning the Kingdom of Italy, the Italian Republic, and the United States, made her a bridge between European and American scientific communities. Her election to prestigious academies like the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences signifies the high regard in which her research was held globally. As a recipient of the National Medal of Science and the Lasker Award, she influenced the direction of biomedical research. Her life, spanning over a century, witnessed and contributed to major advancements in understanding the nervous system.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize Winner:** Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
- **National Medal of Science:** Awarded the United States National Medal of Science.
- **Lasker Award:** Received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.
- **Royal Society Member:** Elected to the Royal Society, the English learned society for science founded in 1660.
- **French Academy Member:** Member of the French Academy of Sciences, founded in 1666.
- **Pontifical Academy Member:** Member of the scientific academy of the Vatican City.
- **US Academy Member:** Member of the National Academy of Sciences, founded in 1863.
- **Academic Affiliations:** Held memberships in the European Molecular Biology Organization, Academia Europaea, and the American Philosophical Society.
- **Longevity:** Lived from 1909 to 2012 (age 103).
- **Education:** Alumna of the University of Turin.
- **Employment:** Researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.

## Body

### Identity and Background
Rita Levi-Montalcini was an Italian neurologist, neuroscientist, and biochemist. Born on April 22, 1909, she lived until December 30, 2012. Throughout her life, she held citizenship in Italy, the United States, and the Kingdom of Italy. In addition to her scientific work, her occupations included physician, scientist, and politician. Her field of work was specifically identified as neurobiology.

### Education
Levi-Montalcini received her education at the University of Turin. This institution is a public research university located in Turin, Italy, and was founded in 1404, making it one of the oldest universities in the country. The university is known for its contributions to research and education across various disciplines.

### Career and Employment
Her professional career was significantly associated with Washington University in St. Louis. This private research university, located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, was founded in 1853. Washington University is known for its strong academic programs and research contributions, ranking among the top institutions nationally and globally. Levi-Montalcini's employment there placed her within a major hub of American scientific research.

### Awards and Honors
Levi-Montalcini received extensive recognition for her work:
*   **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine:** One of five Nobel Prizes established in 1895 by Alfred Nobel.
*   **National Medal of Science:** A science award established in 1963 in the United States.
*   **Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research:** An American award established in 1946 for fundamental discoveries in biomedical science.
*   **Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize:** An annual prize awarded by Columbia University.
*   **Rosenstiel Award:** An award in medical research from Brandeis University.
*   **Ralph W. Gerard Prize:** An award of the Society for Neuroscience.
*   **Feltrinelli Prize:** An Italian award for various achievements.
*   **Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic:** An Italian order of merit.
*   **Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour:** The fourth rank of the French Legion of Honour.
*   **Order of Isabella the Catholic:** A Spanish civil order granted in recognition of services that benefit the country.
*   **Gold medal of the Spanish National Research Council.**
*   **Honorary doctor of the University of Madrid Complutense.**

### Memberships
She was affiliated with a vast array of prestigious scientific organizations:
*   **National Academy of Sciences:** The science branch of the United States National Academies, founded in 1863.
*   **Royal Society:** An English learned society for science, founded in 1660.
*   **French Academy of Sciences:** A learned society founded in 1666 by Louis XIV.
*   **Pontifical Academy of Sciences:** The scientific academy of the Vatican City, founded in 1936.
*   **American Academy of Arts and Sciences:** A United States honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780.
*   **Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei:** An academy of sciences in Italy.
*   **Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL:** Italy's national academy of sciences, founded in 1782.
*   **Academy of Sciences of Turin:** A science academy founded in 1757.
*   **European Molecular Biology Organization:** An organization of researchers in the life science, founded in 1964.
*   **The World Academy of Sciences:** A merit-based science academy founded in 1983.
*   **Academia Europaea:** A pan-European academy founded in 1988.
*   **International Academy of the History of Science:** An organization founded in 1928.
*   **Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium:** A learned society founded in 1841.
*   **Accademia delle Arti del Disegno:** An academy of artists in Florence, Italy.
*   **American Philosophical Society:** An American scholarly organization and learned society founded in 1743.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [The Washington Post](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/rita-levi-montalcini-nobel-prize-winning-neuroscientist-dies-at-103/2012/12/30/054829e0-5295-11e2-a613-ec8d394535c6_story.html)
3. [The Sydney Morning Herald](http://www.smh.com.au/world/nobel-biologist-the-lady-of-the-cells-dies-at-103-20121231-2c2r1.html)
4. www.accademiadellescienze.it
5. BnF authorities
6. NNDB
7. [Encyclopedia.com](http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Rita_Levi-Montalcini.aspx)
8. [Source](http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/people/levi-montalcini-rita.html)
9. [NNDB](http://www.nndb.com/edu/408/000087147/)
10. datos.bne.es
11. [Carlo Azeglio Ciampi – Nomine di Senatori a vita. Presidency of the Italian Republic](http://www.quirinale.it/qrnw/statico/ex-presidenti/Ciampi/cia_a_nomine.htm)
12. Openpolis
13. [nobelprize.org](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1986/levi-montalcini-bio.html)
14. [nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
15. [Dettaglio decorato. Presidency of the Italian Republic](http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=275189)
16. [Dettaglio decorato. Presidency of the Italian Republic](http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=15508)
17. [Lasker Foundation](http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/1986basic.htm)
18. [Source](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/research/louisa-gross-horwitz-prize/horwitz-prize-awardees/1990-1981-awardees)
19. [Source](https://www.brandeis.edu/rosenstiel/rosenstiel-award/past.html)
20. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
21. [Source](https://www.sfn.org/careers/awards/outstanding-career-and-research-achievements-awards/ralph-w-gerard-prize)
22. International Standard Name Identifier
23. CiNii
24. CiNii Research
25. Virtual International Authority File
26. OPAC SBN
27. [National Academy of Sciences](http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/deceased-members/53313.html)
28. www.pas.va
29. twas.org
30. www.ae-info.org
31. Find a Grave
32. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
33. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
34. Babelio
35. La France savante
36. Base biographique
37. Munzinger Personen
38. Levi-Montalcini, Rita (22 April 1909–30 December 2012)
39. Freebase
40. [A Lab of Her Own - Issue 108: Change - Nautilus](https://nautil.us/issue/108/change/a-lab-of-her-own)
41. CONOR.SI
42. [Source](https://www.asut.unito.it/mostre/items/show/457)
43. BBC Things
44. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
45. Rita Levi-Montalcini - ITALIAN-AMERICAN NEUROLOGIST. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2018
46. Rita Levi-Montalcini. Nationalencyklopedin
47. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
48. Quora
49. Enciclopedia Treccani
50. The Movie Database