ABSTRACT
France Area of Achievement: Physics Contribution: Through his theory of the wave-mat-
ter composition of electrons, Broglie introduced a major and necessary component to quantum theory.
Early Life Louis Victor Pierre Raymond de Broglie took his name from a small town in Normandy, France. He belonged to an ancient and famous family. From the seventeenth century on, this family produced several religious leaders, two Marshals of France and two prime ministers. As the head of an aristocratic family, Louis' father held the title of due, which was passed on to Louis' older brother Maurice and to Louis in 1960. In taking an active interest in science, both brothers broke from family tradition. Maurice was the first to do so, suggesting to his family in 1898 that he resign his commission in the navy and follow a career in physics. The family objected to such an undertaking and a compromise was achieved: Maurice took a leave of absence from the navy and converted a room in the family estate into a laboratory. During this time, Louis began attending the Lycee Janson-deSailly in Paris, where his academic interest was in history. Louis continued to pursue this interest in history at the Sorbonne in the University of Paris, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1910. Sometime before completing this degree, Broglie had become drawn to both theoretical physics and the philosophy of science. While his brother played a role in this shift of interest, Broglie also stated that the works of French mathematician Henri Poincare were decisive in changing his mind. After three years of intensive work, Broglie completed a science degree from the faculty of science at the University of Paris.
