Pioneering mathematician, biochemist, and philosopher who developed the theory of cyclols, a model for protein structure, and made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, chemistry, and philosophy.
Dorothy Maud Wrinch, a British mathematician and biochemical theorist, left an indelible mark on the scientific community with her groundbreaking attempt to deduce protein structure using mathematical principles. Her pioneering work on the cyclol hypothesis, a controversial theory that proposed a new understanding of protein structure, continues to fascinate researchers to this day.
Born on September 12, 1894, in Rosario, Argentina, to Hugh Edward Hart Wrinch, an engineer, and Ada Souter, Dorothy grew up in Surbiton, near London, after her family returned to England. She attended Surbiton High School and later entered Girton College, Cambridge, in 1913 to read mathematics.
Dorothy's time at Cambridge was marked by her involvement with the Heretics Club, run by Charles Kay Ogden, where she first heard Bertrand Russell speak in 1914. She graduated in 1916 as a wrangler and went on to take the Cambridge Moral Sciences tripos, studying mathematical logic with Russell in London.
In December 1916, Dorothy was invited to Garsington Manor, the home of Russell's mistress, Ottoline Morell, where she met prominent figures of the Bloomsbury Group, including Clive Bell. Her association with Russell continued, and she introduced him to Dora Black, who would later become his second wife. When Russell was imprisoned for his anti-war activities in 1918, Dorothy assisted him with his writing projects, bringing him books and articles.
In 1921, Dorothy facilitated the publication of Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus, a seminal work in philosophical logic, in a German philosophical journal. Her own work on protein structure, particularly her advocacy for the cyclol hypothesis, sparked intense debate within the scientific community.
Dorothy Maud Wrinch's remarkable journey, marked by her intellectual fearlessness and her willingness to challenge established theories, continues to inspire researchers and scholars today. Her work on protein structure, though controversial in her time, has paved the way for future breakthroughs in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Dorothy Maud Wrinch's pioneering work on protein structure has had a lasting impact on our understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology. Her legacy continues to inspire researchers, encouraging them to push the boundaries of human knowledge and challenge established theories.
Dorothy's association with Bertrand Russell and her involvement with the Heretics Club reflect her commitment to intellectual freedom and her willingness to engage with unconventional ideas. Her own work on protein structure embodies the spirit of inquiry and intellectual curiosity that defines her philosophical outlook.
Born in 1920
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