The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA's Double Helix

Howard Markel, MD, PhD George E. Wantz Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine, University of Michigan Join Dr. Howard Markel for a presentation on his new book, a lively and sweeping narrative of the landmark discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, the foundation of nearly every advance in our modern understanding of genetics and molecular biology. The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA’s Double Helix is a story of genius and perseverance, but also a saga of cronyism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, and misconduct, finally giving the woman at the center of this story her due. Drawing on archival research, Dr. Markel provides a fascinating look at how science is done, how reputations are undone, and how history is written and revised. Dr. Howard Markel is the George E. Wantz Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan. He is the author of several award-winning books and is a frequent contributer to the PBS NewsHour, The New York Times, and The New Yorker. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Co-sponsored by the Heberden Society and Division of Medical Ethics.