Enrico Fermi was an Italian-American physicist born in 1901 in Rome, Italy who is known for his contributions to nuclear physics including achieving the first controlled nuclear chain reaction. He received numerous awards including the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on induced radioactivity by neutron bombardment and the discovery of transuranic elements. Fermi made significant contributions across many areas of physics and was honored with awards such as the Matteucci Medal, Hughes Medal, Medal for Merit, and Franklin Medal for his scientific achievements and service.