James Watson is one of the smartest people in the world. From early childhood, parents noticed his abilities that predicted a bright future for the child. However, about how James went to his dream, and what obstacles he overcome on the path to fame, we learn from our article.
Childhood, youth
James Dewey Watson was born on April 6, 1928 in Chicago. He grew up in love and joy. As soon as the boy sat down at the school desk, the teachers already while alone said that little James was smart beyond his years.
After graduating from the 3rd grade of high school, he went on the radio to participate in an intellectual quiz for children. The boy showed amazing ability. After some time, James is invited to study at the University of Chicago, four-year-old. There he shows a genuine interest in ornithology. After receiving a bachelor of science degree, James sets off to continue his studies at Bloomington Indiana University.
Interest in science
During his studies at the university, James Watson is seriously interested in genetics. The well-known geneticist Herman J. Möller, as well as the bacteriologist Salvador Lauria, draws attention to his abilities. Scientists offer him to work together. After some time, James writes a dissertation on the topic "The influence of X-rays on the spread of viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages)." Thanks to this, the young scientist receives a Ph.D.
After that, James Watson continues the study of bacteriophages already at the University of Copenhagen, in distant Denmark. Within the walls of the institution, he studies the properties of DNA. However, all this quickly bothers the scientist. He wants to study not just the properties of bacteriophages, but the very structure of the DNA molecule, which is so zealously studied by genetics.
Advances in science
In May 1951, at a symposium in Italy (Naples), James meets with the English scientist Maurice Wilkins. As it turned out, he, along with his colleague, Rosalyn Franklin, conducts DNA analysis. Research scientists have shown that the cell is a double spiral, which resembles a spiral staircase.
After this data, James Watson decides to conduct a chemical analysis of nucleic acids. Having received a research subsidy, he set to work with physicist Francis Crick. Already in 1953, scientists made a report about the structure of DNA, and a year later created an enlarged model of the molecule.
After the research was made public, Crick and Watson diverged. James is appointed senior staff member of the Department of Biology, California Institute of Technology. After some time, Watson was offered to work as a professor (1961).
Prizes and awards
James Watson and Francis Crick received the Nobel Prize in medicine or physiology. It was an award for the discovery of the molecular structure of nucleic acids.
Since 1969, the theory of James Watson has been tested by all the geneticists of the world. In the same year, the scientist held the position of Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Long Island. It should be noted that he refuses to work at Harvard University. Watson has devoted many years to the study of neurobiology, the role of DNA and viruses in the development of cancer.
By the way, Watson was awarded the Albert Lasker Prize (1971), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977), and the John D. Carty Medal. It is worth mentioning that James is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Biochemists, the American Cancer Research Society, the Danish Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the Harvard University Council.
Personal life
In 1968, Watson marries Elizabeth Levy. The girl worked as an assistant in the laboratory, where James himself once worked. In the marriage, the couple had two sons.
Active rumors circulated that allegedly the daughter of James is Emma Watson. And James Phelps, by the way, fell into the category of the scientist's supposedly born out of wedlock children. Although, most likely, this is not true.
James Watson on Races
Watson claimed that people with black skin have a lower level of intelligence, unlike a person with white skin. For this theory, the famous microbiologist Watson wanted to be called to trial. It should be noted that this is not the first time that a scientist has allowed himself to express such an opinion. He used to say that about women.
Such statements generated a lot of discussion around the famous scientist, similar to those that Watson and Murray made in the 90s. In it, scientists examined the differences between the intelligences of different races. This work was then called the apology of scientific racism.
It’s hard to say whether the famous scientist will be punished. At the moment, it is known that the American Commission on Racial Equality noted that this unpleasant incident will not be ignored.
By the way, Watson must have lost his job as director of the Long Island laboratory precisely because of this statement.
