James Watson, Nobel prize-winning DNA pioneer, dies at 97

James Watson — the Nobel laureate co-credited with the pivotal discovery of DNA's double-helix structure, but whose career was later tainted by his repeated racist remarks — has died, his former lab said on Friday (November 7, 2025). He was 97.

The eminent biologist died on Thursday in hospice care on Long Island in New York, announced the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he was based for much of his career.

Watson became among the 20th century's most storied scientists for his 1953 breakthrough discovery of the double helix with researcher partner Francis Crick.