Ernest did an experiment where he shot alpha particles into a gold foil that proved the concept of a nuclear atom,that is an atom with a nucleus made of protons and neutrons and have electrons moving around the nucleus in some way.His experiment did not show the position of electrons or energy levels or even how they moved.
Rutherford contributed large amounts to atomic science, the most renowned of these was possibly the Rutherford or Planetary Model. The Rutherford Model shows the nucleus of an atom containing protons and neutrons being orbited by shells of electrons. Though now outdated, it is still taught in many schools and is used as the cartographic symbol for a nuclear power plant.
This was an idea of Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) from 1911.
The gold-foil experiment
Ernest Rutherford
He didn't exactly "discover" the nucleus. In 1911 he theorized about the atom having its positive charges in a very small nucleus. In 1921 he postulated about the existence of the neutron in the nucleus. The first experiment to split the atom in a controlled manner was performed by him and two students in 1932.
Democritus (460BC - 370BC)
Ernest Rutherford was the man you are thinking of. He was the first person to 'split the atom'.
Ernest Rutherford
This was an idea of Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) from 1911.
E. Rutherford discovered the proton.
Ernest Rutherford
The nuclear atom was discovered by Ernest Rutherford. He did it with a gold foil experiment.
He discovered the atom
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford worked in Manchester (UK) and at Mac Gill (Canada).
Alpha, beta and gamma.
1925