Quotes by Maurice Wilkins

About Maurice Wilkins:


Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins is best known for his work at King's College, London on the structure of DNA which falls into three distinct phases. The first was in 1948–50 where his initial studies produced the first clear X-ray images of DNA which he presented at a conference in Naples in 1951 attended by James Watson. During the second phase of work (1951–52) he produced clear "B form" "X" shaped images from squid sperm which he sent to James Watson and Francis Crick causing Watson to write "Wilkins... has obtained extremely excellent X-ray diffraction photographs"[of DNA]. Throughout this period Wilkins was consistent in his belief that DNA was helical even when Rosalind Franklin expressed strong views to the contrary.[not in citation given (See discussion.)]

Author Bio


  • NameMaurice Wilkins
  • DescriptionNew Zealand-born English physicist and biologist
  • AliasesMaurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins; Maurice H F Wilkins; Maurice H. F. Wilkins
  • BornDecember 15, 1916
  • DiedOctober 5, 2004
  • CountryNew Zealand
  • ProfessionBiophysicist; Biologist; Physician
  • AwardsNobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine; Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire; Fellow Of The Royal Society; Albert Lasker Award For Basic Medical Research