Photograph 51

The protagonist and central figure of Photograph 51, Rosalind Franklin is a brilliant Jewish British scientist in her mid-30s who has returned to England after several years abroad in Paris to work in the… read analysis of Rosalind Franklin

A British physicist at King’s College. Lauded, established, and taken seriously by his colleagues in the community, Wilkins brings Rosalind Franklin to King’s College to assist him—not realizing that the woman he cruelly refers to… read analysis of Maurice Wilkins

A graduate student at King’s College assigned to assist Rosalind Franklin with her research in X-ray crystallography, and the man who eventually helped her to capture and develop Photograph 51. Portrayed in the play… read analysis of Ray Gosling

An American scientist who becomes fascinated by Rosalind Franklin’s research—and, over the course of their ongoing written correspondence, besotted with Rosalind herself—then later travels to King’s College to assist and study with her. Caspar… read analysis of Don Caspar

James Watson’s research partner at Cambridge University. Where Watson is ambitious and “hungry,” Crick is slightly more proper and reserved. He dreams of success but not fame, professional satisfaction but not sensational international renown… read analysis of Francis Crick