She died at 37 from ovarian cancer. But not before she played a critical role in the discovery of the stucture of DNA, one of the greatest discoveries of all time.
Rosalind knew that DNA was a helix and she even measured its parameters. But she never knew it was a double helix. Only Crick and Watson figured that out.
Rosalind was a brilliant experimental scientist. Crick and Watson became famous. Rosalind did not. Now it's up to history to decide.
Tech Notes:
After the structure of DNA was published Franklin became very friendly with Francis Crick and his wife Odile, in the years after she left King's College in 1953. She reportedly stayed with them during her illness. There is nothing to indicate she had the same relationship with Watson, and many say that in his famous book "The Double Helix" he treated her harshly. Crick campaigned unsucessfully to have Watson's book publication stopped.
Crick's book, which covers his career and the discovery of the double helix, is titled: "What Mad Pursuit". In his book, Crick offers his own recollections and perspective on the famous 1953 discovery, providing an alternative to the narrative presented in Watson's book.
Content written and posted by Ken Abbott abbottsystems@gmail.com
Like this post? Please share it by clicking one of the share buttons below!