Family Matters: The Life and Science of Rosalind Franklin
Portrait of Rosalind Franklin, Photograph by Peter Fisher (Wikimedia Commons)
Dear Readers,
History often celebrates people for their big achievements, but the personal dimensions of their lives frequently fade into the background. This May, under our theme of Inspiring Ancestors, we focus on Rosalind Franklin—a brilliant scientist known for her role in discovering the double helix structure of DNA. Yet, beyond her well-documented scientific endeavors, Rosalind was a loving daughter and sister, deeply connected to her family. As Rosalind herself once said, "Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated."
Rosalind was born in 1920 in Notting Hill, London, into a family that highly valued education and public service. Her father, Ellis Franklin, was a big influence, encouraging her to pursue her intellectual interests. This family support was a crucial foundation that shaped her approach to life and work. Rosalind's sister, Jenifer Glynn, recalls, "We were a family which debated things. We discussed events in a way I suspect most families now simply don't. So Rosalind grew up with a love of argument."
Rosalind's mother, Muriel, was equally influential. Muriel's own strength in managing the household and supporting her children's education during tough times, such as the economic struggles of the Great Depression and the hardships of World War II, was a powerful example for Rosalind. This supportive home life gave Rosalind the confidence to chase her dreams with determination. As Jenifer Glynn notes, "When my sister was told something, even when she was very young, she wanted proof. It's a scientific trait. I remember her being extremely honest with a tremendous sense of justice."
Rosalind Franklin (second from right), with her four siblings.(Image source: NIH. NLM Unique ID:101584586X128)As one of five siblings, Rosalind shared a strong bond and love for learning with her brothers and sister. Her younger sister, Jenifer, often spoke of Rosalind's protectiveness and her role as a mentor. Rosalind also had three brothers, David, who pursued a career in physics, Roland, who became an economist, and Colin, who became a market researcher. The Franklin siblings frequently engaged in intellectual discussions and challenged each other's ideas, which fueled Rosalind's analytical mind. They also enjoyed exploratory walks during which Rosalind would explain natural phenomena in simple terms. This not only strengthened their family bonds but also improved her skill in explaining complex ideas clearly. These strong family ties were central to Rosalind's identity, helping to counterbalance the demanding nature of her scientific career. Jenifer Glynn reflects, "My sister always loved travel - especially to France and the mountains. She had good friends, had lot of energy and didn't waste time. Her life was far more than just work, which people at times assume."
As a woman, Rosalind faced significant gender barriers and discrimination throughout her career, but she never gave up. During her time at King's College London, her work and ideas were often overlooked or undervalued by her male colleagues simply because she was a woman. Despite these challenges, Rosalind remained determined and turned to her family for support. Her family's encouragement and belief in her work were crucial in helping her to persevere in the face of doubt and criticism from the scientific community. Jenifer Glynn observes, "All her career my sister thought that as a woman scientist she had to try a bit harder…as a woman she was given less room to experiment and fail. But Rosalind never saw herself as a victim."
To the left, Rosalind examining samples under a microscope. To the right, an X-ray crystallography image instrumental in the discovery of the DNA double helix structure.[XL Semanal] Rosalind cared deeply for her family, which showed in her detailed and careful scientific work. She applied the same care and attention to her relationships as she did to her X-ray crystallography. Her letters home from King's College London reveal not just a researcher of immense talent, but a daughter and sister eager to share both her life's mundane details and big moments with her family. These letters, filled with lab anecdotes and a longing for family gatherings, show how closely linked her personal and professional lives were. As Rosalind Franklin's biographer, Anne Sayre, notes, "Rosalind's letters reveal a woman who was not just a brilliant scientist, but a devoted daughter and sister. Her family was the bedrock upon which she built her remarkable career."
Rosalind Franklin's story shows us how important family can be in our careers. Her life teaches us that personal relationships do not detract from professional achievements but rather, they enrich and often drive them. Her story is that of a woman whose life was a profound testament to the strength derived from loved ones. As Rosalind herself believed, "All that is necessary for faith is the belief that by doing our best we shall succeed in our aims: the improvement of mankind."
This month, as we remember Rosalind Franklin, let's be inspired by both her brilliant scientific mind and her heart—warm, loving, and deeply connected to those she called family. As American playwright Anna Ziegler states, "Rosalind was a fascinating person who succeeded against the odds." Jenifer Glynn adds, "She would have been very amazed at the idea that she became a sort of feminist icon. It was not, I think, anything in her mind at all. She was just a scientist who wanted to do it all she could in that way, although nothing would please her more than the fact that it perhaps encourages girls into science." Jenifer Glynn also poignantly reflects, "People often say, 'What would she have achieved if she'd not been a woman', but I think the answer is ' What would have she achieved if she'd not died at 37. '"
With gratitude,
S.A. Sterling