Biographical Sketch of
James Dewey Watson
 Dr. James D. Watson is known internationally for his discovery of the structure of DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid), for which he shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins. Their elegant structure for the DNA
molecule - the Double Helix - inspired the development of modern biology and led to a new
industry - biotechnology. The image of the Double Helix has become an icon for modern
science and the story of the discovery was made into a BBC TV film - Life Story.
In 1968, Dr. Watson became Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island,
New York. Under his direction, the Laboratory began research on viruses that cause cancer
and from that research emerged our present understanding of cancer genes. Other active
areas of research are plant molecular biology, cell biology, and neuroscience, and the
Laboratory consistently ranks among the top research institutions worldwide. Nobel Prizes
have been won by three of the Laboratory’s staff (Alfred Hershey; Barbara McClintock;
and Richard Roberts).
Dr. Watson was also responsible for developing the Laboratory’s meeting and
publications programs. The Laboratory functions as a postgraduate university on DNA
science with 5,000 scientists from around the world attending more than 52 professional
meetings and advanced courses held each year at Cold Spring Harbor. The Press publishes
some 20 books each year and three international journals. Thus, the Laboratory exerts an
influence on biological research far beyond its own boundaries. In 1994, Dr. Watson became
President of the Laboratory.
Dr. Watson is also famed as an author. His account of the discovery of the structure of
DNA - The Double Helix- is an international best seller and has been translated into over
20 languages. It has remained in print ever since it was published in 1968. In addition,
Dr. Watson’s first textbook, The Molecular Biology of the Gene, set a new
standard in biology textbooks that has been followed by all subsequent books. He is a
co-author of two other immensely successful books - The Molecular Biology of the Cell
and Recombinant DNA.
Between 1988 and 1992, Dr. Watson was responsible for directing the US Human Genome
Project, a multi-million dollar effort to map human genes and to sequence the human
genome. It was his effort that launched the Project and transformed it into the first
successful "big science" program in biomedical research.
In addition to the Nobel Prize, Dr. Watson has received many honors, including the Eli
Lilly Award in Biochemistry; the Albert Lasker Prize; the Presidential Medal of Freedom;
the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London; and the Charles A. Dana Distinguished
Achievement Award in Health. He has received honorary degrees from 18 universities. His
memberships include the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; the National Academy of
Sciences; the American Philosophical Society; the Athenaeum, London; the Royal Society of
London; and the Academy of Sciences, Russia.
You may also view a Curriculum Vitae or a list of selected Publications.
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