James Dewey Watson; Francis Harry Compton Crick

© Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge

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James Dewey Watson; Francis Harry Compton Crick

by Antony Barrington Brown
modern bromide print from original negative, 21 May 1953
9 3/4 in. x 11 3/4 in. (247 mm x 299 mm)
Purchased, 1994
Photographs Collection
NPG x45733

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Barrington Brown photographed them in the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, with their original DNA double-helix model. The image was to accompany an article on the pair, written by a friend of Barrington Brown's, for Time magazine. Although not published at this time, this photograph became famous after being reproduced in Watson's memoir The Double Helix (1968).

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Faces of the Century, 1999 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 22 October 1999 to 30 January 2000), p. 100
  • Hart-Davis, Adam, Chain Reactions, 2000, p. 184

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Events of 1953back to top

Current affairs

A combination of low pressure in the North Sea, hurricane force winds, and high tides result in the Great Flood of 1953. With no warning system many were trapped in their homes as 20-foot waves crashed on the coast; hundreds were killed at sea and on the east coast.
John Hunt's British Expedition conquers Everest. News of the achievement reached Britain on the day of Elizabeth's coronation.

Art and science

Frances Crick and James Watson discover the double helix structure of DNA. Uncovering DNA's chemical make-up revolutionised our understanding of the building blocks of life.
Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel, Casino Royal.
Chad Varah founds 'The Samaritans' helpline.

International

Joseph Stalin dies four days after suffering a stroke. It has been suggested that Stalin was assassinated, as he was denied medical assistance for over a day after he was found; many suspect that he was poisoned. On his death Georgy Malenkov became leader of the Soviet Union.

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