Named in memory of Marie Curie (1867–1934), the only person to receive Nobel prizes for both physics (1903) and chemistry (1911), famous for her work on radioactivity, a word she invented. The name also honors Pierre Curie (1859–1906), who shared the Nobel prize for physics with his wife and Becquerel {see planet  (6914)}. Best known for the discovery of radium, the Curies also discovered polonium, an element named in honor of Marie’s native land, where she was born Maria Skdlodowska in Warsaw. After Pierre’s death his widow was appointed to his professorship and thereby became the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne. She was also involved with the development of radiology for the medical profession. (M 27464) _ _.