James D. Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James D. Watson
|
|
---|---|
![]() James D. Watson
|
|
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of Chicago, Indiana University |
Known for | DNA structure, Molecular biology, |
Awards | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962); Copley Medal (1993) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Genetics |
Institutions | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Harvard University; University of Cambridge; National Institutes of Health |
James Dewey Watson (born April 6, 1928) is an American molecular biologist and zoologist.
Watson is of English, Scottish and Irish ancestry.
He is best known as one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA with Francis Crick, in 1953.
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".
He studied at the University of Chicago and Indiana University and later worked at the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory in England. He met Crick at the Cavendish and they became friends.
Watson has received 19 honorary doctorates.
Books
Watson has published a number of books.
- The molecular biology of the cell
- Recombinant DNA
Images for kids
-
DNA model built by Crick and Watson in 1953, on display in the Science Museum, London
-
Watson's accomplishment is displayed on the monument at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Because the monument memorializes only American laureates, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins (who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine) are omitted.
-
Watson signing autographs after a speech at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on April 30, 2007
![]() | Hypatia |
![]() | Agnodice |
![]() | Aglaonice |
![]() | Mary the Jewess |