James Watson is undoubtedly one of the most famous scientists of the twentieth century. He is recognized as co-discoverer of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and was co-recipient of the 1962 Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine for his work in genetics. He has authored several books in recent years, including a light-hearted and informal account of his research appropriately titled The Double Helix. This successful book created celebrity status for Dr. Watson among the general public and added to his popularity in the scientific community. James Watson is still actively participating in several projects at an age when most other people are considering retirement.

Watson was born on April 6, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. He was an extremely intelligent child who used his photographic memory to his advantage. By age 10, he was a regular contestant on a popular radio show called "The Quiz Kids." He studied zoology at the...