Archive · 8 Nov 2025
James Watson, Nobel Prize Winner for DNA Structure, Dies at 97
James Watson, a very famous scientist, has passed away at the age of 97.
He helped discover the amazing shape of DNA, which is like a twisted ladder and holds all the instructions for living things.
This discovery was so important it was called the 'secret of life' and helped him win a Nobel Prize with his friends.
Watson also led a big science place called Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and made it super important.
He also wrote books and believed science was his 'gold rush' because he was so dedicated to finding the truth.
However, he also made some hurtful comments about people that caused problems and made him lose some of his special honors.
He even sold his Nobel Prize medal!
Nobel Prize co-winner James Watson, who discovered the DNA double helix structure, has died at 97.
Watson, along with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick, shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for discovering the 'secret of life'.
He was instrumental in establishing Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as a leading scientific research institution.
Watson was known for his controversial 'racist and homophobic remarks,' leading to the loss of some honorary titles.
In 2014, Watson sold his Nobel Prize medal at auction for $4.76 million.
- Who
- James Watson, Nobel Prize co-winner for the discovery of the DNA double helix structure
- What
- Died at 97, known for discovering the secret of life and leading scientific institutions, but also for controversial remarks.
- When
- Died on Thursday (US time), Nobel Prize in 1962, discovered DNA structure in 1954.
- Where
- USA (Chicago-born, worked at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York)
- Why
- Died after a brief illness.
Watson's Views
Concerns Raised
Racial and Social Beliefs
Watson's Views
Watson expressed 'racist and homophobic remarks' claiming genetic differences among groups.
Concerns Raised
These remarks led to him losing honorary titles.
- Name
- James Watson
- Age at Death
- 97
- Nobel Prize Year
- 1962
- Discovery Year
- 1954
- Institution Affiliation
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Notable Quote
- 'DNA was my only gold rush. I regarded DNA as worth a gold rush.'
- Nobel Prize Sale
- Sold in 2014 for $4.76 million
