William Astbury's standing in the history of science lies primarily with his work in the structure of organic fibers (e.g., wool). He is also an early figure of importance in the race to discover the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material, and therefore a founder of molecular biology. His work as an applied scientist, slowly decoding the nature of molecular structure of virtually the largest organic materials, fibrous and globular proteins, was valuable to both science and industry.

Born on February 25, 1898, at Longton, England, later to be incorporated into Stoke-on-Trent, William Thomas Astbury was the son of a potter, though he, like his brother, the physicist N. F. Astbury, had the fortune of an excellent collegiate education. Having won a scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge University in 1916, he began the study of mathematics and physics. Only two years into his work, Astbury was drafted into...