James D. Watson, the renowned scientist who at just 25 years old helped uncover the structure of DNA, has died at the age of 97 on November 6, 2025. His son, Duncan Watson, confirmed the news, stating that his father passed away in a care facility after being treated for an infection in the hospital.
Watson, together with Francis Crick, discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, a finding that earned them the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. This groundbreaking discovery transformed modern biology, paving the way for understanding genetic mutations, developing genetically modified organisms, and later innovations such as CRISPR gene-editing technology.
He also led the ambitious Human Genome Project, mapping the full sequence of human DNA, and served as the director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory from 1968 to 1993, establishing it as one of the world’s leading centers of molecular biology.
Watson authored the seminal book “The Double Helix”, which became a classic in scientific literature. However, his career was also marred by controversy, as he made a series of racist and sexist remarks that damaged his public reputation in later years.
Despite the controversies, Watson leaves behind an extraordinary scientific legacy — from the discovery of DNA’s structure to his leadership in genome sequencing and mentorship of new generations of researchers.
Born on April 6, 1928, in Chicago, Watson is survived by his wife Elizabeth Lewis, his sons Rufus and Duncan, and a grandson. His discoveries remain a cornerstone of biology and genetics, shaping the course of science for decades to come.
