20 Best Rosalind Franklin Quotes From The Famous English Chemist

Rosalind Elsie Franklin, born on 25 July 1920 is best known for her contribution towards the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA.

After studying physics and chemistry at Cambridge University, she went on to work for British Coal Utilization Research Association while completing her Ph.D. thesis on the porosity of coal. In 1946, Franklin moved to Paris where she researched on X-ray crystallography.

Rosalind Franklin's brilliant scientific contributions as a chemist and X-ray crystallographer, in both virus structure research and coal chemistry, have proven to be extremely beneficial. Franklin's detailed work to make clearer X-ray patterns of DNA molecules proved to be of great help in the research of James Watson and Francis Crick, in which they suggested that the structure of DNA is a double-helix polymer, a spiral consisting of two DNA strands wound around each other, in 1953. Sadly, the contributions made by Franklin were not acknowledged. Rosalind's illustrious research career came to an unfortunate end when she passed away from ovarian cancer at the young age of 37. Some published works on Franklin's life provide a detailed account of her genius contributions. Brenda Maddox, in her book, 'Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA', talks about the brilliant scientific mind of Franklin. Another popular published work by Franklin's friend and author, Anne Sayre, gives us a deeper insight into Rosalind's life, quotes about Rosalind Franklin, and how she gained very little recognition for her unparalleled contribution to the study of DNA.

If you love reading about everything science, you will surely love these Rosalind Franklin quotes on science, faith and religion and share them with your friends. You might also like to read Ada Lovelace quotes and weird science quotes.

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Here are a few Rosalind Franklin quotes to make you fall in love with science. For budding scientists, these famous Rosalind Franklin quotes, which include quotes about biology and other science quotes, can be really motivating.

1. "Science, for me, gives a partial explanation for life. In so far as it goes, it is based on fact, experience and experiment."

– Rosalind Franklin.

2. "You look at science (or at least talk of it) as some sort of demoralizing invention of man, something apart from real life, and which must be cautiously guarded and kept separate from everyday existence."

– Rosalind Franklin.

3. "While the biological properties of deoxypentose nucleic acid suggest a molecular structure containing great complexity, X-ray diffraction studies described here...show the basic molecular configuration has great simplicity."

– Rosalind Franklin.

4. "The results suggest a helical structure which must be very closely packed containing probably 2, 3 or 4 coaxial nucleic acid chains per helical unit and having the phosphate groups near the outside."

– Rosalind Franklin.

5. "In my view, all that is necessary for faith is the belief that by doing our best we shall succeed in our aims: the improvement of mankind."

– Rosalind Franklin.

6. "My method of thought and reasoning is influenced by a scientific training—if that were not so my scientific training will have been a waste and a failure."

– Rosalind Franklin.

7. "Conclusion: Big helix in several chains, phosphates on outside, phosphate-phosphate inter-helical bonds disrupted by water. Phosphate links available to proteins."

– Rosalind Franklin.

8. "We wish to discuss a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid. D.N.A. This structure has novel features which are of considerable biologic interest."

– Rosalind Franklin.

9. "But science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated."

– Rosalind Franklin.

10. "I see no reason to believe that a creator of protoplasm or primeval matter, if such there be, has any reason to be interested in our insignificant race in a tiny corner of the universe, and still less in us, as still more insignificant individuals."

– Rosalind Franklin.

11. "Again, I see no reason why the belief that we are insignificant or fortuitous should lessen our faith."

– Rosalind Franklin.

The story of Rosalind Franklin, chemist and X-ray crystallographer, can really change your outlook towards science and the contribution of women in science. You can use these famous scientist quotes and share them with friends. Her ways of life and terms have inspired even more women to come out with their desires to become a scientist, become a member of the male-dominated science community and become more independent.

12. "In my view, all that is necessary for faith is the belief that by doing our best we shall come nearer to success and that success in our aims (the improvement of the lot of mankind, present and future) is worth attaining."

– Rosalind Franklin.

13. "I agree that faith is essential to success in life (success of any sort) but I do not accept your definition of faith, i.e. belief in life after death."

– Rosalind Franklin.

14. "I maintain that faith in this world is perfectly possible without faith in another world."

– Rosalind Franklin.

15. "What’s the use of doing all this work if we don't get some fun out of this?"

– Rosalind Franklin.

16. "Traveling around in a little tin box isolates one from the people and the atmosphere of the place in a way that I have never experienced before."

– Rosalind Franklin.

17. "I would willingly go more primitive if it were necessary to preserve my freedom."

– Rosalind Franklin.

18. "Your faith rests on the future of yourself and others as individuals, mine in the future and fate of our successors."

– Rosalind Franklin.

19. "Anyone able to believe in all that religion implies obviously must have such faith, but I maintain that faith in this world is perfectly possible without faith in another world."

– Rosalind Franklin.

20. "Your theories are those which you and many other people find easiest and pleasantest to believe, but so far as I can see, they have no foundation other than they leaf to a pleasanter view of life (and an exaggerated idea of our own importance)."

– Rosalind Franklin.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Rosalind Franklin, then why not take a look at Dorothea Dix quotes, or physics quotes.