Women in History · Head-to-head
Barbara McClintock vs Umm Kulthum
Yes — based on their recorded years, Barbara McClintock (1902–1992) and Umm Kulthum (1904–1975) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
Barbara McClintock
Barbara McClintock was an American scientist who won the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of genetic transposition, or 'jumping genes,' in maize.
Key achievements
- Received her PhD in botany from Cornell University in 1927.
- Discovered transposable genetic elements, or 'jumping genes,' in maize chromosomes.
- Won the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, decades after her key discoveries.
- Became one of the few women to receive an unshared Nobel Prize in the sciences.
Fast fact
McClintock's discovery of transposable genetic elements, or 'jumping genes,' in the 1940s and 1950s was met with considerable skepticism from the scientific community and was not widely accepted until decades later, when she won the Nobel Prize in 1983.
Full profile of Barbara McClintock →Umm Kulthum
Umm Kulthum was an Egyptian singer widely regarded as one of the greatest voices in Arab music history, earning the honorific title 'Planet of the East.'
Key achievements
- Became one of the most celebrated vocalists in the history of Arabic music.
- Performed monthly radio concerts that captivated audiences across the Arab world for decades.
- Starred in several Egyptian films during the golden age of Egyptian cinema.
- Was awarded the honorific title 'Kawkab el-Sharq,' meaning 'Planet of the East.'
Fast fact
Umm Kulthum's monthly live radio concerts in Egypt were so popular that daily life across the country would reportedly pause while listeners tuned in, a testament to her cultural influence.
Full profile of Umm Kulthum →Who lived first, Barbara McClintock or Umm Kulthum?
Barbara McClintock (1902–1992) lived first, before Umm Kulthum (1904–1975), based on their recorded years.
Were Barbara McClintock and Umm Kulthum contemporaries?
Yes — based on their recorded years, Barbara McClintock (1902–1992) and Umm Kulthum (1904–1975) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
What do Barbara McClintock and Umm Kulthum have in common?
Both Barbara McClintock and Umm Kulthum are grouped among our Women in History figures and lived during the Modern Era.