DNA has been a very popular subject of study for scientists during the 20th century. Many people assume that the people who got recognition and a Nobel peace prize for discovering deoxyribonucleic acid, James Watson and Francis Crick along with Maurice Wilkins, are the only people who deserve the credit. But there is a name that history has forgotten, and that name is Rosalind Franklin.

The story of Rosalind is a tragic one, to say the least. She worked alongside Maurice Wilkins, who assumed her to be his assistant instead of a co-worker. Sexism was still prominent at that time. Franklin had produced an x-ray photograph which allowed her to study the structure of DNA.

Whilst she was conducting her studies of the photograph, it was stolen by Wilkins and given to Watson and Crick. They managed to find out that the structure of DNA was a double helix, which Franklin also did by herself. However, Watson and Crick published their findings before Franklin, so it looked as if she was confirming their ideas instead of inspiring them.

Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel peace prize, and Franklin could not have received that honour because she had died. 4 years’ prior, Rosalind had suffered from cancer due to the radiation from when she was attempting to take the monumental photograph. Unfortunately, Nobel peace prizes cannot be awarded after death and so her efforts were never seen until recently.

Rosalind Franklin is truly an unsung hero from the past. Her pivotal research, determination and hard work deserve to be given acknowledgement, as well as her contribution to our knowledge of DNA that we possess today. Many would argue Watson, Crick and Wilkins did not deserve the prizes and fame they received.
One thing that is for certain, Franklin was a truly inspirational woman, and her legacy to stay motivated and determined should never be forgotten.