James D. Watson

A first edition, first printing of The Double Helix, signed and inscribed to Francis Crick - Co-Discoverer of DNA.

• James D. Watson (American).
• United Kingdom: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1968.
• Signed 'For Fran/ L / Jim Watson'/.
• In the unclipped dust wrapper.

James Watson and Francis Crick formed one of the most famous scientific partnerships of the twentieth century. Working together at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge in the early 1950s, they were united by a bold, intuitive style and a shared ambition to solve the structure of DNA. Their collaboration was energetic and highly complementary: Crick contributed deep theoretical insight and exuberant confidence, while Watson offered sharp observational instincts and strategic focus.

Their partnership, though sometimes competitive and later complicated by controversies around credit—especially regarding Rosalind Franklin’s contributions—remained mutually respectful. They continued to admire each other’s intellect and maintained professional friendship long after their landmark discovery.