Born, Hamburg, Germany, 1904, Gerhard Herzberg was an exceptional student graduating, Darmstadt Technical University, in addition to the University of Gottingen, where he graduated with honours and studied under such notables as Max Born, one of the fathers of the quantum theory, and James Frank, who was instrumental in developing that theory. By the time he was in his early 30s, Dr. Herzberg was known as one of the pioneers in molecular spectroscopy and structure. However, because he had married a Jewish woman, Dr. Herzberg was declared unfit by authorities to teach Germany’s youth at the time. Prospects for a teaching job, therefore, were dim, especially since the Depression offered little opportunity for work of any kind. A former colleague, however, was successful in helping to secure a job for him at the University of Saskatchewan, 1935. The Herzbergs consequently immigrated to Canada, remaining for 10 years in Saskatoon where his reputation spread internationally as a scientist. Following cessation of hostilities, 1945, and a brief academic hiatus, University of Chicago, 1945-48, Dr. Herzberg was invited to head up Physics at Canada's National Research Council, Ottawa. Over the next 50 years, he became internationally known as the father of modern molecular spectroscopy. Made Companion of the Order of Canada, 1968, his research paid off, 1971, when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contributions to the knowledge of electronic structure and the geometry of molecules, particularly free radicals. The NRC’s Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Victoria, British Columbia, is named after this prominent German Canadian, one of the leading scientists of the 20th century. In this view, Dr. Herzberg celebrates his 80th birthday, 1984, with former Governor General Jeanne Sauvé. [Photo, courtesy National Research Council of Canada]