Rosalind Franklin's Life And Accomplishments

Observing her home life, it is not difficult to believe that Rosalind Franklin excelled in her academic pursuits. For high school, she attended St Paul’s Girls’ School, a prestigious private school, beginning at 11 years old (Elkins). In an interview, her school friends characterized her by revealing, “She was best in science, best at maths, best in everything. She expected that if she undertook to do something, she would be in charge of it” (Bagley). By the age of 15, Franklin already knew she wanted to become a scientist one day (Biography “Rosalind Franklin”). In the beginning, her father reprobated her intent to become a scientist, asserting that no woman should receive university education, but with her mother and aunt supporting her as well as her aunt announcing that she would be paying for Rosalind’s education, he eventually relinquished and gave his consent (PBS “People and Discoveries: Rosalind Franklin”).
Franklin went on to study natural sciences at Cambridge in 1938 at 18 years old and excelled in her studies and school life consistently, participating in many clubs and even practiced her strong-will to bring improvement to the chemistry lectures (Famous Scientists “Rosalind Franklin).
When war broke out in 1939, Franklin’s father demanded she return home and refused to continue funding her education; despite this her mother was able to convince him to allow their daughter to stay at Cambridge where she remained for three years (Famous Scientists “Rosalind Franklin). Accordingly, Franklin was presented with Second Class Honors from her finals at graduation, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree by today’s qualifications (Biography “Rosalind Franklin”). A brilliant new mind was prepared to dive into the world of science and bring about multitudinous new
discoveries.