Qian Sanqiang (1913-1992) was born on October 16, 1913 in Shaoxing. His family later moved to Huzhou in eastern Zhejiang. His father was Qian Xuantong, a famed scholar during that time. Qian Sanqiang graduated from the physics department of Qinghua University in 1936 and went to study in Paris University in 1937. In 1940 he obtained doctorate in France. In 1946 he was awarded a top science prize in France.  

In 1948 Qian and his wife gave up the good jobs and rich life in France and came back to China. He was a professor of physics department at Qinghua University and at the Central Academy as well as director of Atomic Research Institute of Beijing Academy. He was also deputy of the first, third, fourth, fifth National Congresses as well as standing committee member of the 6th and 7th CPPCC. Qian Sanqiang joined the Communist Party in 1954. In 1955 Qian was elected member of mathematics and physics department of China Academy of Sciences and director of the department. In 1958 he was director of Atomic Energy Research Institute. From 1978 on, he was vice president of China Academy of Sciences and President of Zhejiang University.   

As he devoted his lifetime to the studies and researches in atomic physics, Qian Sanqiang was one of the founders of China’s nuclear sciences research base and China’s nuclear power. He made brilliant contributions to the making of China’s atom bombs and hydrogen bombs and to the cultivation of talents for China’s national defenses.