Ernest Rutherford was a New Zealand scientist who is widely regarded as the father of nuclear physics. His groundbreaking experiments led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the development of Rutherford's model of the atom. Rutherford's work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908 and established him as a central figure in the study of atomic structure. His contributions have had a profound impact on the field of physics and our understanding of atomic science.