Endel Lippmaa


Endel Lippmaa was an Estonian academic, politician, founder and chairman of the Science Council of the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics best known for his work in uncovering crucial documents in the Soviet annexation in 1940 of Estonia and the other Baltic states, Latvia and Lithuania was illegal.
He was also head chairman and professor of chemical physics, physical chemistry, physics, and mathematics at the Estonian Academy of Sciences and was highly regarded in his work . His father, Teodor Lippmaa, was a botanist, and his grandfather, Jakob Mändmets, was a journalist. In 1999, he was voted one of the 100 great Estonians of the 20th century.

Scientific and Political career

In 1972 Endel Lippmaa was elected Member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and served as a member of the Board of the Academy 1975-2014. In 1977-1982 he was Secretary-Academician of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Engineering, in 1999-2004 Head of the Division of Astronomy and Physics, in 2007-2010 Chairman of the Energy Council of the Academy.
During Lippmaa's time working in physics, he wrote a paper on "Structural studies of silicates by solid-state high-resolution silicon-29 NMR,". This paper, now highlighy regarded demonstrated in 1980 that high-resolution NMR spectroscopy could be applied profitably to inorganic samples, not just organic or biological ones. According to Google Scholar, the paper has garnered 969 citations.
Lippmaa often participated in activities of the Popular Front of Estonia. He was a minister during the governments of Edgar Savisaar and Tiit Vähi. During his political career, Lippmaa was a delegate to the Moscow Congress of People’s Deputies 1989-1991, has participated in the activities of the Popular Front, been a member of the Estonian Congress, the founding member of the Coalition Party. In 1990- 1991 Endel Lippmaa was Minister for the Eastern Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, in 1995- 1996 Euro-Minister of the Republic of Estonia and in 1996-1999 member of the Riigikogu.

Personal life

Endel Lippmaa was born in Tartu, Estonia to a renowned family in 15 September 1930. In 1948 he graduated from Nõmme Gymnasium and in 1953 Tallinn University of Technology majoring in oil shale technology. , Physics Today, England, 4 August 2015.
Lippmaa was married to Helle Lippmaa and had two sons, Jaak Lippmaa and Mikk Lippmaa.

Awards

In 2000, Lippmaa was awarded the Order of the National Coat of Arms, II Class.