The remarkable life of Rosalind Franklin
Despite often being overlooked, Rosalind Franklin's contribution to the understanding of molecules was vital.
Image: World History Archive / Alamy Stock Photo
You might not know Rosalind Franklin's name, but there is no denying that she was a highly important figure in the world of science. Franklin’s work helped us understand how DNA is structured. She was also vital in understanding RNA, viruses, graphite, and coal.
Her work in the field of DNA is often considered to be highly under-appreciated and she earned various nicknames, such as the 'Dark Lady of DNA'.
Join us at Sky HISTORY as we explore Rosalind Franklin's life and work, including how she made the all-important discovery about the structure of DNA.
The early life of Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Elise Franklin was born in London on 25th July 1920. She was born into an influential, affluent, and progressive British Jewish family who lived in Notting Hill.
Franklin showed incredible intelligence from a young age, with a particularly impressive aptitude for mathematics and science. The only subject that Franklin was not good at was music.
When she was 18, in 1938, Franklin studied chemistry at Newnham College in Cambridge. This is an impressive feat alone, but it is all the more so when considering the barriers women faced when it came to studying scientific topics.
Much like she did at school, Rosalind thrived at university. In 1941, she graduated from Newnham College with a degree in natural sciences. Following this graduation, she enrolled at the University of Cambridge and worked toward her PhD in physical chemistry.
Rosalind Franklin’s work
In 1942, when she was working on her PhD thesis, Franklin began to research carbon and coal. She did so via a research position at the British Coal Utilisation Research Association. She made significant contributions to the field with her work. This included providing insights that would help develop gas masks during the war and influencing future nanotechnology. She earned her PhD in 1945.
Franklin became a postdoctoral researcher in 1947, working at the Laboratoire Central des Services Chimiques de l'État in Paris. This is where she began her crucial work as an X-ray crystallographer.
Rosalind returned to London in 1951, where she joined King’s College and became a research associate. It was here that she made important discoveries regarding the properties of DNA.
Photo 51
Franklin’s X-ray diffraction work is what she is most well known for, as it led to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. While using X-ray crystallography, Rosalind and the student working under her – Raymond Gosling – captured the image that would go on to be known as Photo 51. This image displayed the helical structure of DNA with thorough clarity, leading to the breakthrough discovery.
Photo 51 was shown to biophysicist Maurice Wilkins by Gosling without Rosalind’s knowledge. Wilkins then showed the image to James Watson and Francis Crick, who were key figures in molecular biology.
The two of them – along with Wilkins – went on to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. This was due to their double helix DNA model. However, this model would not have been possible without the image that Franklin had taken.
Franklin did not receive the same credit for her contribution, as she sadly passed away four years prior. At the time, the Nobel Committee had certain rules regarding posthumous nominations, therefore Franklin was not eligible.
The omission of Franklin’s name is considered a huge oversight in the history of scientific discovery. Despite his key involvement (he took the photograph), Gosling was also not credited.
Rosalind’s death and legacy
Rosalind Franklin died on 16th April 1958, from ovarian cancer at the age of just 37. Her death led to the exclusion of her name from the Nobel Prize for a discovery that would not have been possible without her.
That being said, Franklin has not been forgotten in the decades since her passing. She has been awarded various posthumous awards and has received many recognitions.
Rosalind Franklin is remembered today as a brilliant scientist whose discoveries changed the way we understand DNA, despite not always being appreciated during her lifetime. She was truly a remarkable woman whose intelligence and innovation led to a crucial discovery for mankind.
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