Her Hidden Genius

March 18, 1952

London, England

At a departmental tea, John Randall announces that new funding has come through based on Rosalind’s DNA research. Rosalind is pleased and feels that her standing in the lab has increased. While walking down a corridor, she accidentally overhears Wilkins complaining to Bill Seeds about her. He is obviously angry, and he argues that her work is progressing too slowly. Bill balks when Wilkins seems to suggest sharing her data with Crick and Watson at Cavendish, and Wilkins backpedals: He wants King’s to publish the final study on DNA first, but he agrees with Crick and Watson’s criticisms of Rosalind. The exchange confirms for her that Wilkins resents her control over the project and is collaborating with competitors.

On April 17, 1952

London, England

Rosalind interviews with Professor John Desmond Bernal at Birkbeck College, part of the University of London. She likes and admires Bernal and is heartened by the knowledge that he is friends with her colleagues from the labo in Paris. She happily accepts his offer, sure that his lab will be a much better environment than the one at King’s. Later, she runs into her cousin, Ursula, at a tea shop. The two chat over tea and cakes, and Ursula accuses her of self-isolating because of her issues at work.