Episode 3
In the 1940s, Dorothy made more scientific strides even with a baby, prompting the college to award maternity pay. From October 2014.
The correspondence of Nobel Prize winning scientist, Dorothy Hodgkin (1910-1994), introduced by her biographer, Georgina Ferry.
In the 1940s, Dorothy worked on the structure of a new medicine with a miraculous reputation, penicillin: making her first big breakthrough while breastfeeding her daughter Liz and with her peripatetic husband, Thomas, living and working away from home. Somerville College invented maternity pay for her, a benefit which Dorothy accepted rather reluctantly. As ever, her mother urged her to go gently but, inspired by her discoveries, Dorothy worked harder than ever.
Producer: Anna Buckley.
Last on
Dorothy Hodgkin's Papers - the archive
With thanks to the Hodgkin family for permission to broadcast the letters. The archive of Dorothy Hodgkin’s papers is held by the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
Broadcasts
Wed 8 Oct 201413:45BBC Radio 4- Wed 29 Mar 201714:15BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 30 Mar 201702:15BBC Radio 4 Extra
