The Role of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s 1921 U.S. Visit and Its Coverage in <i>The New York Times</i> in Shaping the Global Phenomenon of Her Legacy

This article examines the role of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s 1921 visit to the United States, its extensive coverage in The New York Times and the possible influence it might have had in shaping the global phenomenon of her legacy. Orchestrated by journalist Missy Meloney, Curie’s visit captured the American imagination through a compelling blend of scientific purpose and human interest. The donation of a gram of radium for her research, coupled with widespread admiration and media attention, marked a turning point in both Curie’s international reputation and public perception of women in science. Central to this transformation was The New York Times, whose articles between February and September 1921 constructed a narrative of perseverance, sacrifice and scientific heroism. Through close analysis of these articles, alongside historical records and Curie’s own reflections, the study explores how media framing contributed to her mythologization and helped anchor her status as a scientific icon. By tracing this media-mediated legacy, the article highlights the enduring influence of press narratives in shaping historical memory and the public vaporization of scientific achievement.