Dorothy Hodgkin
From Compact Biographies by Compact Biographies
February 23, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 239
About this episode
This episode explores the life and contributions of Dorothy Hodgkin, a pioneer in X-ray crystallography who transformed modern medicine.
Dorothy Hodgkin changed science by learning how to see what others could not. Born on 12 May 1910, she became a pioneer of X-ray crystallography, revealing the structures of penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin and transforming modern medicine in the process. Working patiently for decades, often in physical pain, Hodgkin showed how persistence, collaboration, and quiet authority could reshape biology and chemistry alike. Visit our website: Compact Biographies Find us on our social media sites: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube Please also consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee - head on over to compacthistories.com/biographiescoffee to see how. #DorothyHodgkin #WomenInScience #ChemistryHistory #MedicalScience #XRayCrystallography #NobelPrize #SciencePioneers
People in this episode
Host: Compact Biographies
Topics covered
- X-ray crystallography
- women in science
- medical science
- chemistry history
- science pioneers
Keywords
- Dorothy Hodgkin
- X-ray crystallography
- penicillin
- vitamin B12
- insulin
- women in science
- Nobel Prize
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: penicillin, vitamin B12, insulin
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