The untold story of the woman who helped to make one of humanity’s greatest discoveries – DNA – but who was never given credit for doing so. 'A most moving and important biography; as well as an impressive account of a major event in the history of science' Lewis Wolpert; 'Literary Review' Although Rosalind Franklin took the crucial photograph of DNA revealing its double helix structure; her work was overlooked when; four years after her death; three men – Maurice Wilkins of King's College London; Francis Crick of the Cavendish Laboratory and James Watson of Cambridge – were awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of DNA. In this compelling biography of Franklin; Brenda Maddox tells the story of a remarkably single-minded; forthright and tempestuous young woman; who at the age of fifteen decided she wanted to be a scientist; but who was airbrushed out of the greatest scientific discovery of the twentieth century. 'Maddox is a dab hand at drawing a heroine out from behind the long shadows cast by men and her Franklin emerges as a determined; combative woman – a perfectionist who is plagued with self doubt' Vanessa Thorpe; 'Observer' 'This magnificent biography gives a gripping yet nuanced account that resists the stock story-line of Franklin as the wronged heroine. What really happened is far more intriguing.' Gail Vines; 'Independent' 'An exhilarating and vivid tale of scientific and personal politics at a time of rapid change in British science.' Jane Gregory; 'New Scientist'