Dorothy Hodgkin
Dorothy Hodgkin: A Pioneering Chemist and Nobel Laureate
===========================================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
--------------------------------
Dorothy Mary Crowfoot Hodgkin was a British chemist who made significant contributions to the field of X-ray crystallography.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born on May 12, 1910, in Cairo, Egypt, Dorothy Hodgkin passed away on July 29, 1994, at the age of 84.
Nationality and Profession(s)
-------------------------------
Hodgkin was a British chemist who dedicated her life to understanding the structure of molecules. Her work spanned various fields, including chemistry, crystallography, and biology.
Early Life and Background
---------------------------
Dorothy Hodgkin grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged her to pursue her interests in science. She was the eldest of three children born to John Crowfoot, a botanist, and Anne Jennings Crowfoot. Her father's influence helped shape her early fascination with chemistry.
Hodgkin attended Cambridge University, where she studied chemistry at Girton College. During this time, she became interested in X-ray crystallography, a technique that allows scientists to determine the arrangement of atoms within a crystal structure. This interest would eventually become the focus of her life's work.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Dorothy Hodgkin's research on X-ray crystallography led to numerous groundbreaking discoveries. Some of her most notable achievements include:
Determining the structure of penicillin, which revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections.
Crystallizing and determining the structure of vitamin B12, a crucial discovery for understanding this essential nutrient.
Developing a method to determine the structure of proteins using X-ray crystallography.
Hodgkin's work on the structure of DNA led her to propose the alpha-helix model, which was later confirmed by James Watson and Francis Crick. Her contributions earned her the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964.
Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
In addition to her scientific achievements, Hodgkin was known for her commitment to social justice and peace. She:
Acted as a spokesperson for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Participated in anti-war protests during World War II.
Advocated for women's rights and equality.
Impact and Legacy
----------------------
Dorothy Hodgkin's legacy extends far beyond her scientific contributions. Her work inspired generations of scientists, particularly women, to pursue careers in chemistry and related fields. The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, established by the Royal Society, aims to support early-career researchers from underrepresented groups.
Hodgkin's dedication to social justice and peace also left a lasting impact on the world. Her commitment to disarmament and human rights serves as an example for future generations of scientists and activists.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
--------------------------------------------
Dorothy Hodgkin is widely quoted and remembered due to her remarkable achievements in science, her dedication to social justice, and her tireless advocacy for women's rights. Her pioneering work on X-ray crystallography paved the way for numerous discoveries in biology and chemistry.
As a leading figure in scientific history, Hodgkin's quotes continue to inspire scientists, scholars, and individuals around the world. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of science to improve human lives and promote social change.
Quotes by Dorothy Hodgkin
I first met the subject of X-ray diffraction of crystals in the pages of the book W. H. Bragg wrote for school children in 1925, 'Concerning the Nature of Things.'
Still I had a lurking question. Would it not be better if one could really ‘see’ whether molecules as complicated as the sterols, or strychnine were just as experiment suggested?
I once wrote a lecture for Manchester University called « Moments of Discovery » in which I said that there are two moments that are important. There's the moment when you know you can find out the answer and that's the period you are sleepless before you know what it is. When you've got it and know what it is, then you can rest easy.
The detailed geometry of the coenzyme molecule as a whole is fascinating in its complexity.
A great advantage of X-ray analysis as a method of chemical structure analysis is its power to show some totally unexpected and surprising structure with, at the same time, complete certainty.
I should not like to leave an impression that all structural problems can be settled by X-ray analysis or that all crystal structures are easy to solve. I seem to have spent much more of my life not solving structures than solving them.
Still I had a lurking question. Would it not be better if one could really 'see' whether molecules as complicated as the sterols, or strychnine were just as experiment suggested?
I first met the subject of X-ray diffraction of crystals in the pages of the book W. H. Bragg wrote for school children in 1925, Concerning the Nature of Things.
I used to say the evening that I developed the first x-ray photograph I took of insulin in 1935 was the most exciting moment of my life. But the Saturday afternoon in late July 1969, when we realized that the insulin electron density map was interpretable, runs that moment very close.