WILKINS, Maurice (1916-2004). Autograph letter signed (with initial “M” and headed “M.H.F. Wilkins”) to Leonard Hamilton, London, 28 February 1953.

One page, 168 x 198mm. (Slight creasing, fine condition.) On Biophysics Research Unit stationery, King’s College London.

“We have the hell of a lot of data on DNA but not very much idea—just now—what it means except that Pauling’s theory is utter cock.”

Exciting letter written almost simultaneously to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA; and acknowledging the work of Harriett Ephrussi-Taylor. In full: “Please send DNA. If it has not been completely freed from salt maybe so much the better. Is it human, we specially want human. We now have good crystalline pictures off Mrs Ephrussi-Taylor’s Transform Principle. We have the hell of a lot of data ^on DNA but not very much idea ^just now what it means except that Pauling’s theory is utter cock. / Maybe I will be over for Gordon Conf. but the bastards didn’t invite me. Randall has two U.S. invitations & as he doesn’t see how he can ^quite make 4 Atlantic crossings in 2 months he nicely relinquished one for me. All best wishes & to Ann & the family. It was very nice seeing you last summer.”

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