Birth of James Watson
James Dewey Watson was born on April 6, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
1928
1950
Ph.D. from Indiana University
James Watson received his Ph.D. in Zoology from Indiana University, where he studied under the guidance of Salvador Luria.
1951
Postdoctoral Research at Copenhagen
James Watson moved to Copenhagen to work as a postdoctoral researcher with biochemist Herman Kalckar, focusing on the structure of DNA.
1953
Discovery of DNA Structure
James Watson and Francis Crick proposed the double-helix structure of DNA, a groundbreaking discovery that revolutionized the field of genetics.
1962
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
James Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, was awarded the Nobel Prize for their contributions to the discovery of the DNA structure.
1968
Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
James Watson became the Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he significantly advanced molecular biology research.
1976
Publication of "The Double Helix"
James Watson published his memoir "The Double Helix," detailing the discovery of the DNA structure.
1988
Head of Human Genome Project
James Watson was appointed as the head of the Human Genome Project, an ambitious initiative to map the human genome.
1992
Resignation from Human Genome Project
James Watson resigned from the Human Genome Project due to conflicts over the project's direction and management.
2007
Controversial Remarks
James Watson made controversial statements regarding race and intelligence, leading to his suspension from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
2008
Retirement from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
James Watson formally retired from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory after his controversial remarks.
2014
Auction of Nobel Prize Medal
James Watson auctioned his Nobel Prize medal to raise funds for scientific research and to support educational institutions.
2019
Further Controversy and Revocation of Titles
James Watson faced further backlash for reiterating his controversial views, leading to the revocation of his honorary titles by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
2020
Publication of "DNA: The Story of the Genetic Revolution"
James Watson co-authored "DNA: The Story of the Genetic Revolution," providing a comprehensive overview of the history and impact of genetic research.
2022
94th Birthday Celebration
James Watson celebrated his 94th birthday, marking a long and influential career in the field of molecular biology and genetics.
