Tonight, scientists.
Short list- Marie curie, Alan Turing, Tu Youyou (discovered a malaria treatment) and Einstein
surely a shoo-in for Einstein; not just the most important and recognisable scientist of the 20th century, but possibly of all time.
But, wot no Crick and Watson? The discovery of the structure of DNA is surely a contender for the most important scientific discovery of the century, or indeed in history. Did Watson’s views on race and intelligence cost him and Crick a place on this short list, in addition to his honorary positions at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory...?
anyway, I’d have picked Alfred Wegener for the shortlist, for the insight that led to the development of plate tectonics, the unifying theory of earth sciences in the way that evolution is for life sciences.
Post edited at 22:30