James Watson is an American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist, best known for co-discovering the structure of DNA in 1953 alongside Francis Crick. Their groundbreaking work revealed the double helix structure of DNA, which is fundamental to understanding genetics and heredity. This discovery earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962, along with Maurice Wilkins. Watson has also contributed to various scientific fields and served as the director of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for many years. He has authored several books, including "The Double Helix," which provides a personal account of the discovery of DNA's structure and its implications for science.