GOLDSCHMIDT BERTRAND: (1912-2002) French chemist, considered one of the fathers of the French ...

GOLDSCHMIDT BERTRAND: (1912-2002) French chemist, considered one of the fathers of the French atomic bomb, which was tested for the first time in 1960 in the nuclear test Gerboise Bleue. Manuscript D.S., Bertrand Goldschmidt, one page, 4to, n.p., May 1946, in French. Goldschmidt responds to a researcher’s questionnaire entitled Enquête Mondiale, with their manuscript questions at the head of the page, ‘1. Vos débuts scientifiques furent - ils heureux ou difficiles? 2. Des moyens d'existence (un second metier ou une fortune personelle) vous permirent-ils de vous faire un nom dans la science ou ne vecutes-vous que de votre travail de laboratoire? 3. Quel ouvrage vous fit-il le plus connaitre? Lequel considerez-vous comme votre chef d'oeuvre? (Translation: ‘1. Were your scientific beginnings happy or difficult? 2. Did the means of living (a second job or personal fortune) allow you to make a name for yourself in science or did you only make a living from your laboratory work? 3. Which work made you most famous? Which one do you consider your masterpiece?’). Goldschmidt provides his answers beneath, ‘1. Mes debuts scientifiques furent facilites par le fait que je suis passe par la tres bonne ecole de Physique et de chimie. 2. Je ne me suis pas encore fait un nom dans la science. 3. Pour le chef d'oeuvre il faudra encore attendre quelque temps’. (Translation: ‘1. My scientific beginnings were made easier by the fact that I went to a very good physics and chemistry school. 2. I haven’t made a name for myself in science yet. 3. For the masterpiece you will still have to wait some time’). VG