Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins was a New Zealand-born British biophysicist whose work played a pivotal role in the discovery of the structure of DNA. Born on December 15, 1916, in Pongaroa, New Zealand, Wilkins moved to England for his education and later became a naturalized British citizen.
Wilkins studied physics at University of Cambridge, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1938. He continued his education at University of Birmingham, obtaining a PhD in 1940. His early research focused on various aspects of physics, including phosphorescence and radar during World War II.
After the war, Wilkins joined King's College London, where his interest shifted towards biophysics. Here, he began to investigate the molecular structure of DNA using X-ray crystallography techniques. His work at King's College was instrumental in the eventual discovery of the DNA double helix structure.
Wilkins, along with his colleague Rosalind Franklin, used X-ray diffraction to study the structure of DNA. Their work produced what is now famously known as Photo 51, an X-ray diffraction image that provided crucial clues to the helical structure of DNA. Although Franklin's contributions were initially overlooked, Wilkins' collaboration with her was vital in providing the visual evidence that supported the model proposed by James Watson and Francis Crick.
In 1962, Wilkins, along with Watson and Crick, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material." Franklin had passed away in 1958, and Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, which has led to some controversy regarding the recognition of her contributions.
Maurice Wilkins continued his research into biological structures, particularly focusing on the physical and chemical properties of DNA, RNA, and viruses. He was also involved in advocating for the responsible use of genetic technology. Wilkins died on October 5, 2004, in London, leaving behind a legacy of fundamental contributions to molecular biology.