In 1973, chemist Linus Pauling and colleagues founded the Linus Pauling Institute in Palo Alto, California, to investigate how vitamins and essential minerals can contribute to lifetime health. After Pauling’s death in 1994, the Institute was relocated to the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, which also houses Pauling's vast collection of papers and memorabilia.
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
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Renowned 20th century scientist Linus Pauling grew up poor in Portland and eastern Oregon and struggled to afford tuition at Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University). A brilliant student and researcher, he went on to make revolutionary discoveries in chemistry, physics, molecular biology and medicine.
Despite being targeted by the FBI and labeled a communist during the height of the Cold War, he used his international fame to work for world peace alongside his wife Ava Helen. Later, he was heavily criticized for promoting the use of vitamin C megadoses to fight the common cold and cancer, but he never backed down from his beliefs.
Pauling remains the only person in history to win two unshared Nobel Prizes.
Watch the Oregon Experience documentary "Linus Pauling" to learn how Pauling became one of the world's most visible scientists and peace activists.
This series is in partnership with The Oregon Historical Society
