James Watson

James Dewey Watson (born April 6, 1928) is an American molecular biologist, geneticist and zoologist. He is best known as one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA in 1953 with Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin. Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material".

Early life and education

Watson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 6, 1928, to Jean (Mitchell) and James D. Watson, a businessman descended from colonial English immigrants to America. He was educated at the public Horace Mann Grammar School and South Shore High School in Chicago before going on to earn degrees at the University of Chicago (B.S., Zoology, 1947) and Indiana University Bloomington (Ph.D., Zoology, 1950).

Career and research

Watson's career has spanned academia, research, and public service. He has held positions at the University of Cambridge, Harvard University, and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he served as director and president for many years. His research has focused on the molecular structure of nucleic acids and their role in the transmission of genetic information.

Personal life

Watson married Elizabeth Lewis in 1968 and they have two sons. He is known for his outspoken views on a variety of subjects, which have sometimes caused controversy.

Awards and honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Watson has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Copley Medal from the Royal Society, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Medal of Science.

Controversies

Watson has been involved in several controversies over his career, most notably for his comments on race and intelligence, which led to his retirement from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 2007.

See also

• List of Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine
• History of molecular biology
• DNA structure

External links

• Nobel Prize Biography
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Biography

James Watson Resources
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