British scientists and science commentators have paid tribute to the DNA pioneer Maurice Wilkins, who died on Tuesday aged 87. Professor Wilkins, who called himself "the third man of the double helix", helped Francis Crick, James Watson and Rosalind Franklin unlock the structure of the "life molecule" that sits at the heart of nearly all our cells.
"Maurice was a central figure in one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th Century, but his extreme modesty allowed others to share the prize," said Matt Ridley, the author of the books Genome and Nature Via Nurture.
"It was he who first obtained an X-ray image of DNA, he who taught Francis Crick about DNA, his photograph that inspired James Watson, and his suggestion that led to the recruitment of Rosalind Franklin to Kings College.
"And later, it was he who finally proved the double helix correct."
Dr Stephen Minger, of Kings College London, agrees that Wilkins' modesty meant he did not get the recognition he deserved.
 |  Maurice was a central figure in one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th Century  |
"Maurice Wilkins was a very important scientist who probably didn't get the credit he deserved for discoveries that have revolutionised science," he said. "He is one of the pioneers of molecular biology and we wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are without him."
Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, of the National Institute for Medical Research, added: "If it hadn't been for the X-ray data that resulted from Wilkins' work, Watson and Crick wouldn't have been able to pinpoint the structure of DNA."
Professor Steve Jones, of University College London, fears that universities are not attracting future geniuses of Wilkins' calibre.
"The death of this great scientist should remind us that to get renaissance geniuses like Wilkins and Crick we need to attract more second-rate geniuses like me and that is just not happening," he said.
"The fact that some universities are being forced to down-size their biology units because of a shortage of students will have Wilkins turning in his grave."
Lord May, President of the Royal Society added: "Maurice Wilkins will always be remembered for the part he played in discovering the structure of DNA, arguably the most important molecule in the world today.
"His death is a sad loss and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues."
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