# Vitaly Ginzburg

> Russian physicist (1916–2009)

**Wikidata**: [Q104668](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104668)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitaly_Ginzburg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vitaly-ginzburg

## Summary

Vitaly Ginzburg was born September 21, 1916 in Moscow.[1][2][3][4][5][6] He held citizenship in the Soviet Union and Russia.[7][8][9] His occupations included physicist, astrophysicist, inventor, university teacher, scientist, and theoretical physicist.[10][11][12][13][14][15]He was educated at MSU Faculty of Physics and Lomonosov Moscow State University.[16] He was employed by the Lebedev Physical Institute. His fields included theoretical physics, physics, and astrophysics.He received the Order of Lenin, UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal, Order of the Badge of Honour, Nobel Prize in Physics, Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 1st class, and Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class, among other awards.[17][18][19][20][21] He was a member of the Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, and Russian Academy of Sciences.[22][23][24][25] He practiced atheism.[26] He died November 8, 2009 in Moscow from heart failure and was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery.[27][1][28][29][30][31][32][2][4][33][30].

## Summary
Vitaly Ginzburg was a Russian physicist (1916–2009) known for his groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in superconductivity and astrophysics. He was a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and received numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physics (1962) and the Order of Lenin.

## Biography
- Born: September 4, 1916, in Moscow, Soviet Union
- Nationality: Soviet, later Russian
- Education:
  - Bachelor’s degree in physics from Moscow State University (1938)
  - Doctorate in physics from the Lebedev Physical Institute (1946)
- Known for: Pioneering work in superconductivity and astrophysics
- Employer(s):
  - Lebedev Physical Institute (1946–1988)
  - Moscow State University (1950s–1980s)
- Field(s): Theoretical physics, astrophysics, superconductivity

## Contributions
- **Superconductivity Theory**: Developed the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity (1950), explaining the microscopic properties of superconductors and their phase transitions.
- **Astrophysics Research**: Contributed to the study of cosmic rays and the structure of the universe, including work on neutron stars and black holes.
- **Educational Leadership**: Taught at Moscow State University and the Lebedev Physical Institute, shaping generations of physicists.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Received the Nobel Prize in Physics (1962), the Order of Lenin, the UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal, and the Lomonosov Gold Medal.

## FAQs
### What was Vitaly Ginzburg’s most significant scientific contribution?
Vitaly Ginzburg’s most significant contribution was the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity (1950), which explained the microscopic properties of superconductors and their phase transitions.

### Where did Vitaly Ginzburg receive his education?
Vitaly Ginzburg earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Moscow State University in 1938 and his doctorate from the Lebedev Physical Institute in 1946.

### Which prestigious awards did Vitaly Ginzburg receive?
Vitaly Ginzburg received the Nobel Prize in Physics (1962), the Order of Lenin, the UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal, and the Lomonosov Gold Medal.

### What institutions was Vitaly Ginzburg affiliated with?
Vitaly Ginzburg was affiliated with the Lebedev Physical Institute (1946–1988) and taught at Moscow State University (1950s–1980s).

### What field of physics did Vitaly Ginzburg specialize in?
Vitaly Ginzburg specialized in theoretical physics, particularly superconductivity and astrophysics.

## Why They Matter
Vitaly Ginzburg’s work revolutionized the understanding of superconductivity and astrophysics, influencing generations of physicists. His Ginzburg-Landau theory remains foundational in condensed matter physics, and his contributions to astrophysics expanded knowledge of cosmic phenomena. His leadership in education and research at institutions like the Lebedev Physical Institute and Moscow State University shaped the scientific community. His Nobel Prize recognition solidified his legacy as a pioneer in theoretical physics.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Physics (1962)**: Awarded for his work on superconductivity.
- **Ginzburg-Landau Theory (1950)**: Pioneering theory explaining superconductivity.
- **Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences**: Contributed to the academy’s scientific advancements.
- **Order of Lenin**: Highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union.
- **UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal**: Recognized for outstanding contributions to physics.
- **Lomonosov Gold Medal**: Awarded for achievements in natural sciences.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Vitaly Ginzburg was born on September 4, 1916, in Moscow, Soviet Union. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Moscow State University in 1938 and later completed his doctorate at the Lebedev Physical Institute in 1946.

### Scientific Contributions
Vitaly Ginzburg’s most significant contribution was the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity (1950), which explained the microscopic properties of superconductors and their phase transitions. This theory remains foundational in condensed matter physics. He also made substantial contributions to astrophysics, studying cosmic rays and the structure of the universe, including work on neutron stars and black holes.

### Academic Career
Vitaly Ginzburg was affiliated with the Lebedev Physical Institute from 1946 to 1988, where he conducted groundbreaking research. He also taught at Moscow State University during the 1950s and 1980s, shaping the careers of many physicists.

### Awards and Recognition
Vitaly Ginzburg received numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physics (1962), the Order of Lenin, the UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal, and the Lomonosov Gold Medal. His work was recognized for its profound impact on theoretical physics and astrophysics.

### Legacy
Vitaly Ginzburg’s legacy endures through his foundational theories and his influence on the scientific community. His contributions to superconductivity and astrophysics continue to be studied and referenced in academic circles. His leadership in education and research at institutions like the Lebedev Physical Institute and Moscow State University has left a lasting impact on the field of physics.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. [On the theory of superconductivity](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02731579)
3. [Nobel-winning Russian physicist dies at 93. 2009](http://www.dawn.com/news/501746/nobel-winning-russian-physicist-dies-at-93)
4. [Vitaly Ginzburg dies at 93; Nobel Prize-winning Russian physicist. 2009](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-vitaly-ginzburg10-2009nov10,0,226625.story)
5. Great Russian Encyclopedia
6. [Vitaly Ginzburg. 2009](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/6545874/Vitaly-Ginzburg.html)
7. Virtual International Authority File
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10. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/928354/Alexey-A-Abrikosov)
11. [Source](http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/nov/15/physics-russia)
12. Mathematics Genealogy Project
13. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/org/616/000067415/)
14. [Once upon a time, in the Soviet Union …](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00107510210122495)
15. [On the Flexoelectric Effects in Solid Dielectrics: Theories and Applications](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00150190701455005)
16. [Scientist Vitaly Ginzburg, who helped make Soviet H-bomb, dies at 93. 2009](http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/2.209/scientist-vitaly-ginzburg-who-helped-make-soviet-h-bomb-dies-at-93-1.4494)
17. [Nobel winner, Soviet H-bomb scientist Vitaly Ginzburg dies. 2009](http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091110/world/nobel-winner-soviet-h-bomb-scientist-vitaly-ginzburg-dies.281122)
18. [Soviet H-bomb scientist Ginzburg dies. 2009](http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/09/us-russia-physicist-idUSTRE5A813520091109)
19. Find a Grave
20. [Vitaly Ginzburg obituary. 2009](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/nov/15/physics-russia)
21. [The Nobel Prize in Physics 2003. Nobel Foundation](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2003/summary/)
22. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
23. [О награждении орденом              "За заслуги перед Отечеством" I степени Гинзбурга В.Л.. 2006](http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?docbody=&nd=102109140)
24. [О награждении орденом "За заслуги перед Отечеством"                    III степени Гинзбурга В.Л.. 1996](http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?docbody=&nd=102043554)
25. [Source](http://www.ras.ru/win/db/award_dsc.asp?P=id-1.ln-ru)
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27. Q137170397
28. [APS Fellow Archive. American Physical Society](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/fellowships/archive-all.cfm?initial=G)
29. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
30. [Source](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/nicholson.cfm)
31. CiNii Research
32. [Vitaly Lazarevich Ginzburg. 4 October 1916 — 8 November 2009](https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbm.2011.0002)
33. NNDB
34. [Vitaly L. Ginzburg – NAS](https://www.nasonline.org/directory-entry/vitaly-l-ginzburg-jhbfpw/)
35. www.ae-info.org
36. [Members - European Academy of Sciences. 2022](https://www.eurasc.eu/members/missingeurasc-org/member/)
37. [Source](https://libserv.aip.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1680D73IU0570.32021&profile=rev-icos&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100006~!5861~!1&ri=3&aspect=power&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=VITALII+GINZBURG+PAPERS,+1992&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=power&menu=search&ri=3&limitbox_1=LO01+=+icos)
38. [Source](http://net.knigi-x.ru/24hudoj/77252-1-471-pamyati-ima-kak-nazval-rasskazivaya-etom-l-oni-poprosili-ego-derzhatsya-blizhe-tekstu-doklada-ot.php)
39. Integrated Authority File
40. [Week ending Saturday, November 14, 2009. Life In Legacy](http://lifeinlegacy.com/Display.aspx?weekof=2009-11-14)
41. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/233993/Vitaly-Lazarevich-Ginzburg)
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43. Munzinger Personen
44. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
45. CONOR.SI
46. LIBRIS. 2018
47. Catalogo of the National Library of India