Democritus
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Democritus,(ca. 460 BC-ca. 370 BC), Greek philosopher.
Very little is known about Democritus' life, but historians do know he was born in Abdera, Thrace (now modern Greece). His birth and death date are estimated.
His instructor Leucippus had previously discovered the small building blocks of matter called atoms. Democritus went further and focused his study on sub-atomic particles. Since his belief was that all matter is made up of atoms was controversial, this further research was especially bold. Although he was persecuted at the time, this idea was picked up by scientists after him, and progressed into one of the greatest scientific discoveries.