James Watson is a renowned American molecular biologist and zoologist best known for co-discovering the structure of DNA—the double helix. In recognition of this groundbreaking achievement, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. In 2014, Watson made headlines by selling his Nobel Prize medal for $4.1 million, with proceeds donated to scientific and charitable causes.
James Dewey Watson was born on April 6, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, James D. Watson, worked as a businessman, while his mother, Jean Mitchell, had deep American roots. He had one sibling, a sister named Elizabeth Jean Watson. Raised in a family that valued education, Watson showed early signs of intellectual curiosity.
He completed his elementary education at Horace Mann Grammar School and later attended South Shore High School. Watson entered the University of Chicago at the age of 15 under a tuition-free plan and graduated with a B.S. degree in zoology in 1947. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in zoology from Indiana University in 1950, where he became increasingly focused on genetics and molecular biology. His passion for bird watching as a youth later evolved into a fascination with genetic code and life sciences.
Watson was strongly inspired by past Nobel laureates and aspired to win the prestigious award himself. His opportunity came during his time at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, where he met fellow scientist Francis Crick. Together, they made one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the 20th century: the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery, made in 1953, fundamentally transformed the field of molecular biology and laid the groundwork for genetic engineering and biotechnology.
The duo utilized crucial X-ray diffraction data produced by Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins—information pivotal to shaping their model. In 1962, Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their contributions to the understanding of nucleic acids.
In later interviews, including one with NPR, Watson reflected on the intense curiosity and collaboration he shared with Crick. He also discussed the controversy surrounding his memoir, The Double Helix, published in 1968, which some felt cast fellow scientists in an unflattering light. In retrospect, Watson believed the book ultimately served to humanize and promote science.
| Birth Date: | 6 Apr, 1928 |
| Age: | 92 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Chicago |
| Education: | Indiana University Bloomington University of Chicago |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist |
| Net Worth 2020: | 16.1 billion |
