Linus Pauling was an American chemist and peace activist, renowned for his work in both science and humanitarian efforts. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 for his research on the nature of the chemical bond and later received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 for his activism against nuclear weapons testing. Pauling was a prominent advocate for nuclear disarmament and played a key role in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He co-authored the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, which called for global leaders to prioritize peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy over conflict.