"Within a few years, Rosalind was ready to
get on with becoming a scientist. Even though
there were very few women in science, this
didn't stop her. She set her sights on the
University of Cambridge and scored higher
than anyone else who took the chemistry test."
I love the dedication for this book from its author Tanya Lee Stone: 'For anyone who did something awesome and didn't feel the love. She follows up with a letter to those who will read her book, telling them there is no happy ending here.
"But nobody achieves such great things alone. There are usually other people whose hard work made change possible. Stories about those people are just as important. And it's up to us to remember them.
This story is about remembering Rosalind."
Rosalind Franklin lived from 1920-1958, not a great time for women to be accepted and acknowledged for their work in scientific fields. She grew up in a large family in London, England. She had an abiding interest in the darkroom and loved making images come to life there. She was lucky enough to have parents who believed she could anything she chose, and encouraged her to follow her interests. By 15, she was particularly keen on chemistry and physics.
Following her time at university she found work helping with the war effort. No matter what Rosalind did, she gave her all to it: hosting dinner guests, riding her bike, climbing a mountain. She continued her scientific research in Paris where she was lauded by other scientists, quite different from the way she was treated at home. While happy there, she missed her family and returned to London where she got a job studying DNA. There was little known about it at the time.
As others, including Francis Crick and James Watson, worked to create a model for DNA, Rosalind pointed out problems with their thinking. They ignored her concerns; she kept working on her own.
"In May 1952, she set up her camera.
The image she captured was superb. And it contained an
enormous amount of information that would become the key
to understanding the structure of DNA.
She labeled it simply ...
PHOTO 51."
Bothered by the environment in which she was working Rosalind moved on to other projects, leaving a full report of the work she had done. Within weeks and with Rosalind's report in hand, Watson and Crick were able to create the double helix. Rosalind was given no recognition for the important work she had done to point them in the right direction. In fact, Watson demeaned her character when writing to a colleague. No happy ending is right.
The text of this beautifully written picture book biography, while quite scientific in nature, makes Rosalind's work meaningful. It also shows readers a spirited young woman who loved nature, was highly intelligen,t and uncommonly independent for the time.
Delicate watercolor scenes show Rosalind at many stages in her life, and provide an historical backdrop for her life and work. An author's note explains the Matilda Effect, describing those women whose work has been credited to men. Other back matter contains quotes attributed to Rosalind, and a list of sources for the author's work.
Let us not forget Rosalind!
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