Thursday, July 25, 2013

Rosalind Elsie Franklin


Good to see Google celebrating the birthday of Rosalind Elsie Franklin  today as their 'Google Doodle'. Franklin's name and her achievements have been back in the news recently as the ongoing discussions/arguments over the lack of women on the notes issued by the Bank of England has attracted many column inches and comments.

Franklin has become the Pete Best of the discovery and understanding of DNA. How much of her involvement was crucial in the scientific understanding, how much was by chance and how much of her work influenced others.

The debate on DNA will continue, what can't be disputed however is her other work in scientific areas such as the polio virus and X-Rays.

8 comments:

A Northern Bloke said...

She does seem to be something of an unsung hero in terms of the structure of DNA.

I saw a drama documentary some years ago and she did appear to be hard done by.

Span Ows said...

I wouldn't mind betting that a quick glance through much history would reveal dozens of women who haven't had the credit they deserve; re the banknotes, the fact that it has ruffled so many feathers shows how daft the whole thing is (although when there's only handful of notes you can understand that it should take an age to select, filter approve the 'right one'....mind you I do see Betty Windsor on all of them!

Paul said...

I think you are both right re her contribution and that of other women. In her case she was seen as an 'assistant' by the men she worked with.

The banknotes discussion was interesting because I think although we take the notes for granted they are still much of our cultural independence.

A Northern Bloke said...

Span is, I believe, quite right.

One woman I always cite as not getting due recognition is Delia Derbyshire.

Paul said...

Funny you should mention her Shy. There was a Radio Four programme recently celebrating 50 years of Dr. Who and a character based on her will actually be featured in a TV drama about the start of the series.

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