Jonathan R. Beckwith received his A.B. in Chemistry and his PhD in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University in 1957 and 1961, respectively. With James Shapiro and Lawrence J. Eron, he is credited with isolating the first gene from a bacterial chromosome in 1969. He is also known for his longstanding social activism in the science community, advocating for social responsibility in scientific and genetic research, and arguing against genetic, racial, and gender discrimination in science and society.
Dr. Beckwith had the honor, along with Dr. Elkan Blout, of first presenting the proposal for affirmative action at Harvard Medical School before the April 1968 HMS Faculty Council Meeting.
Year
1968
Faculty Member
Off
School Timeline
HMS
Interview
Off