Dorothy Hodgkin
First British woman to win Nobel Prize, X-ray crystallography pioneer
Dorothy Hodgkin (May 12, 1910 – July 29, 1994) was a British chemist who became the first British woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her revolutionary work in X-ray crystallography enabled her to determine the three-dimensional structure of important biological substances, most notably vitamin B12, for which she received the Nobel Prize. Hodgkin's meticulous experimental work and innovative approaches to crystallography fundamentally advanced our understanding of complex organic molecules essential to human health. She continued her research throughout her career, working on the structure of insulin and contributing to understanding protein folding long before computational methods became available. Despite being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 24, Hodgkin persevered in her demanding laboratory work with characteristic determination and grace. Her legacy extends beyond her scientific achievements; she was a pioneering female scientist who broke gender barriers in academia and became an inspiration for women in STEM fields worldwide.
Science & Technology
British
1910
1994
Thinking about the name
Dorothee
Greek origin
“The French variant of Dorothea, with the characteristic French -ée ending that adds a refined, romantic quality. Dorothee evokes 18th and 19th century French elegance and remains a sophisticated, occasionally used choice among Francophone families.”