Ernest Rutherford

Physics New Zealander-British 1871 – 1937 427 quotes

Discovered the atomic nucleus and proton

Quotes by Ernest Rutherford

The atom is a source of power.

Radio-activity 1904

The nucleus is the heart of the atom.

Philosophical Magazine 1911

The study of radioactivity has changed our view of the universe.

Radio-activity 1904

The atom is a miniature universe.

Philosophical Magazine 1911

The disintegration of radioactive elements is a continuous process.

Philosophical Magazine 1902

The alpha particle is a key to understanding nuclear reactions.

Proceedings of the Royal Society A 1908

I have to get to the bottom of this business, and I'm going to do it.

Letter to Mary Newton Rutherford 1900

I've just been reading your paper and it's a lot of rot.

Comment to a colleague (possibly Moseley)

I am afraid I have been a very busy man, and have not had much time for writing letters.

Letter to his mother 1908

We have no money, so we have to think.

Attributed, regarding research funding

I am going to make a name for myself in science.

Letter to Mary Newton Rutherford 1895

Don't let me catch anyone talking about the universe in my department.

Attributed, regarding focus on experimental physics

I have been working very hard, and have made some good progress.

Letter to his mother 1903

I am quite sure that the atom is not the ultimate particle.

Lecture notes 1904

I am a very lucky man to have such a good wife.

Letter to his mother 1900

I have been very busy with my experiments, and have had little time for anything else.

Letter to his sister 1905

We are living in an age of discovery.

Public lecture 1904

I am very pleased with the results of my experiments.

Letter to a colleague 1908

The future of science depends on the young men.

Speech 1920

I have no doubt that we shall make many more discoveries in the future.

Letter to a student 1913