Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov

Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov (his surname is also translated as Sakharov, Russian: Андрей Дмитриевич Сахаров; May 21, 1921 - December 14, 1989), a Soviet atomic physicist, famous for his research in the fields of nuclear fusion, cosmic rays, elementary particles and baryon generation. He participated in the invention of the Tokamak and led the development of the Soviet Union's first hydrogen bomb. He is known as the "Father of the Soviet Hydrogen Bomb". Sakharov was also a human rights campaigner, Soviet dissident, advocate of civil liberties, and supporter of democratic reforms in the Soviet Union. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975. In memory of him, the European Parliament named Europe's highest human rights award the Sakharov Prize.