Rosalind Franklin and her photographic print of a DNA X-ray diffraction pattern known as Photograph 51. Wikimedia
In 1952, Rosalind Franklin created an image of DNA via X-ray diffraction, which completely changed the field of biology. In essence, her work contributed greatly to our knowledge of DNA’s structure, but she was passed over when the ultimate award for this discovery was presented.
Franklin worked at King’s College London, producing the famous image known as Photo 51. This photograph clearly illustrates an X-type shape, thus proving that DNA is in the shape of a double helix.
Meanwhile, at Cambridge University, James Watson and Francis Crick, two researchers studying DNA, were trying to build a model of its structure using Franklin’s research to develop their model. During this process, Maurice Wilkins (Franklin’s colleague from King’s College) sent her data, without her permission, which helped them complete their double helix model in 1953.
Five years after Franklin’s death (at 37 years old in 1958), Watson, Crick, and Wilkins received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Franklin’s name was not included on that award; the Nobel committee does not give awards after death, so she could not be recognised.
In addition, women in science in the 1950s faced major obstacles. Many did not have access to informal networks, were not allowed to take on leadership roles, and had their work downplayed. Franklin worked in a male-dominated environment where she was not given credit for her contributions to the project, nor for her innovative thinking with this project. Cambridge offered her colleagues stronger networking opportunities, which helped them gain recognition more than Franklin herself.
For many years, the Cambridge team’s contributions to the discovery of DNA were highlighted in textbooks, and very little mention was made of Franklin. However, over the course of the last decade, historians reviewed letters and notebooks and concluded that Franklin’s contributions were paramount to the discovery of the molecular structure of DNA.
I find Franklin’s story hard to ignore because her work was critical. However, history has largely favoured Watson, Wilkins, and Crick.
Rosalind Franklin deserves a place among those who contributed greatly to modern biology.
Reference:
The remarkable life of Rosalind Franklin. (n.d.). Sky History UK. Retrieved February 17, 2026. Link