The life and times of Francis Crick, or does it matter who does science?
Join us for the Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Prize Lecture given by 2024 winner Professor Matthew Cobb.
Scientists don’t often admit it to themselves, but most scientific discoveries are over-determined. If Watson or Crick had fallen under a bus in 1952, then Franklin, or Wilkins, or Pauling, or someone would soon have discovered the double helix in their place. Furthermore, as Crick put it in 2000, ‘Discoveries and inventions are more important than the people who make them.’ But sometimes the individual does matter. After the double helix was discovered, none of the clever people involved – not Watson, nor Franklin, nor Wilkins, nor Pauling – sought to draw out the deep implications of the structure. Only Crick did that, and his ideas, and the way he proceeded, influenced the course of discovery and the way we now think about genes and cells and evolution. Had Crick fallen under a bus in 1954, the course of science would have been different.
Having spent three intensive years immersed in writing a biography of Crick, Professor Cobb will use his life and work (not just the double helix!) to explore the role of individuals in scientific discovery and the importance of recent attempts to diversify the pool of scientists, something that is currently under attack.
About the award
The Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture 2024 is awarded to Professor Matthew Cobb for his work documenting the history of biology as both an author and broadcaster.
The Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture is given for excellence in a subject relating to the history of science, philosophy of science or the social function of science. The Wilkins, Bernal and Medawar lectures were originally delivered as three separate lectures, each given triennially. Since 2007, they have been combined under the one title of the Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Lecture. The medal is of bronze, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000.
Attending the event
- The event is free to attend and Eventbrite registration is recommended
- Live subtitles will be available in-person and online
Attending in person
- This lecture can be attended in person at the Royal Society
- Doors will open to the public at 6.10pm BST
- Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be guaranteed
- Travel and accessibility information
Attending live online
- The lecture will be livestreamed here and on the Royal Society YouTube channel
- You can take part in a live Q&A. Questions can be submitted online using Slido (details will be available on this page closer to the event)
- The lecture will be recorded (including the Q&A) and the recording will be available on YouTube soon after the event
For all enquiries, please contact public.engagement@royalsociety.org