Maurice Wilkins Biography: Education, Net Worth, Nobel Prize, Age, Parents, Siblings, Wife, Children

Maurice Wilkins was a New Zealand-born British biophysicist and molecular biologist. He is best known for his pivotal role in the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA, which he helped confirm through X-ray diffraction images.

Profile

• Full Name: Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins
• Stage Name: Maurice Wilkins
• Born: December 15, 1916
• Age: Passed away at 87 (Died on October 5, 2004)
• Birthplace: Pongaroa, New Zealand
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Biophysicist, Molecular Biologist
• Height:
• Parent: Edgar Henry Wilkins, Eveline Whittaker
• Siblings: Eithne Wilkins
• Spouse: Patricia Ann Chidgey
• Children: George Wilkins
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life and Education

Maurice Wilkins was born on December 15, 1916, in Pongaroa, New Zealand. He was 87 years old at the time of his death on October 5, 2004. Born to Edgar Henry Wilkins and Eveline Whittaker. His father, Edgar, was a schoolteacher, and his mother, Eveline, was of English descent. Maurice had one sibling, an older sister named Eithne Wilkins, who was a translator and poet.

Growing up in New Zealand, Maurice‘s family later moved to England when he was a child. He was of European ethnicity. Although his personal religious beliefs were not widely discussed, he was raised in a Christian family.

For his education, Wilkins attended King Edward’s School in Birmingham, England, and later studied at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he pursued a degree in physics. Following his undergraduate studies, he earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Birmingham, where he worked under the supervision of John Randall. His early research focused on phosphorescence and electron traps in solids, a foundation that led him to his groundbreaking work in biophysics and molecular biology later in life.

Career

Maurice Wilkins began his career in biophysics after completing his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Birmingham. During World War II, he contributed to the war effort by working on radar technology. After the war, he shifted his focus to biophysics, specifically the structure of biological molecules, which led him to King’s College London.

At King’s College, Wilkins became a prominent figure in the study of DNA. His research involved X-ray crystallography, a technique used to analyze the structure of molecules. While working in this field, Wilkins produced high-quality X-ray diffraction images of DNA, which became critical to the discovery of its structure. His photographs were instrumental in providing evidence for the double-helix structure of DNA, a breakthrough that he would share credit for with James Watson and Francis Crick.

Wilkins‘ collaboration with Watson and Crick helped confirm the structure of DNA, a finding that revolutionized molecular biology and genetics. In recognition of his contributions, Wilkins, Watson, and Crick were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.

Later in his career, Wilkins continued his research on the structure of nucleic acids and chromosomes. He became a professor at the University of Cambridge and remained an influential figure in the scientific community. Wilkins also played an important role in science education and served as a mentor to many young scientists.

His groundbreaking work in DNA research has left an indelible mark on the scientific world, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in molecular biology.

Awards and Nominations

• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962), shared with James Watson and Francis Crick for the discovery of the DNA structure
• Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
• Copley Medal recipient (Royal Society)
• Lister Medal for contributions to medical sciences

Personal Life

Maurice Wilkins was married twice in his life. His first marriage was to Ruth Wilkins in 1940, though they later divorced. His second marriage was to Patricia Ann Chidgey in 1971, with whom he remained married until his death in 2004. Maurice had one son from his second marriage, George Wilkins, who was born in 1974.

In terms of physical appearance, Maurice Wilkins‘ height is not widely documented.

Net Worth

Maurice Wilkins‘ estimated net worth was around $500,000 at the time of his passing. His primary source of income came from his work as a biophysicist and professor. Wilkins spent much of his career conducting groundbreaking research at King’s College London and the University of Cambridge.

His contributions to the discovery of the DNA double-helix structure, which earned him a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962, were monumental.