Francis Crick OM FRS
(1916-2004)

Died aged c. 88

Francis Harry Compton Crick OM FRS (8 June 1916 – 28 July 2004) was an English molecular biologist, biophysicist, and neuroscientist. He, James Watson, Rosalind Franklin, and Maurice Wilkins played crucial roles in deciphering the helical structure of the DNA molecule. Crick and Watson's paper in Nature in 1953 laid the groundwork for understanding DNA structure and functions. Together with Maurice Wilkins, they were jointly awarded the 1962 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". Crick was an important theoretical molecular biologist and played a crucial role in research related to revealing the helical structure of DNA. He is widely known for the use of the term "central dogma" to summarise the idea that once information is transferred from nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) to proteins, it cannot flow back to nucleic acids. In other words, the final step in the flow of information from nucleic acids to proteins is irreversible. During the remainder of his career, he held the post of J.W. Kieckhefer Distinguished Research Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. His later research centred on theoretical neurobiology and attempts to advance the scientific study of human consciousness. He remained in this post until his death; "he was editing a manuscript on his death bed, a scientist until the bitter end" according to Christof Koch.

DbPedia
Wikidata Wikipedia

Commemorated on 4 plaques

DNA Double Helix 1953 'The secret of life'. For decades the Eagle was the local pub for scientists from the nearby Cavendish Laboratory. It was here on February 28th 1953 that Francis Crick and James Watson first announced their discovery of how DNA carries genetic information. Unveiled by James Watson 25th April 2003

The Eagle Public House, 8 Benet Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom where they made an announcement

Francis Crick O.M. F.R.S. 1916-2004 Eminent Scientist Nobel Laureate Discoverer of the structure of DNA & the genetic code lived here 1945-1947

56 St. George's Square, London, United Kingdom where they lived

The structure of DNA was determined here in 1953 by James Watson & Francis Crick

Old Cavendish Laboratory, Free School Lane, Cambridge, United Kingdom where they worked

Pubs in Time #9

The Eagle, Cambridge Discovery of DNA on this spot on February 28, 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson made the first public announcement of the discovery of DNA with the words "We have discovered the secret of life". Throughout their early partnership Watson & Crick dined in this room on six days every week.

Bene't Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom where they was