Key Information
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1952 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent
4 items
Scope and content
Photocopies of a personal letter from Wilkins on holiday in Switzerland to Francis Crick (one copy subsequently dated by Wilkins ‘Spring 52’, the other dated ‘May June 1952 before nonhelical talk’), detailing Wilkins’ research to date, including a rough sketch of the x-ray diffraction image suggesting the existence of helical layer lines that Wilkins had recently obtained from a DNA sample made from squid sperm. Also reference to strained working relations with Rosalind Franklin, to Crick and James Watson’s difficulties constructing a DNA model, and to rivalry between theCambridgeand King’s College London research teams
General Information
Name of creator
Repository
Language of material
Script of material
Existence and location of originals
A significant portion of the collection items are available online in the Maurice Wilkins and Medical Research Council Biophysics Unit archive hosted by the Wellcome Library.