Mark Oliphant

Sir Marcus Laurence Elwin "Mark" Oliphant (1901 – 2000) was an Australian physicist and humanitarian centrally involved in the first experimental demonstration of nuclear fusion. In 1927 he studied under Sir Ernest Rutherford at the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory. Using a particle accelerator, he discovered the nuclei of helium-3 (helions) and tritium (tritons). He found that when they reacted with each other, the particles released had far more energy than originally. He also led a group which created a radical new design that made microwave radar possible. In 1945, Oliphant returned to Australia as the first Director of the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering at the new Australian National University. He was Governor of South Australia. He subsequently assisted in the founding of the Australian Democrats political party, Late in life he became an advocate for voluntary euthanasia.

Going after the unknown is always fascinating, I think. It becomes part of your life, this desire to know.