---
title: Photograph 51: X-Ray Diffraction Image of the Double Helix Structure of DNA
author: Raymond Gosling
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21344/photograph-51/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-12-01
---

# Photograph 51: X-Ray Diffraction Image of the Double Helix Structure of DNA

_Authored by Raymond Gosling_

## Image File

[![Photograph 51: X-Ray Diffraction Image of the Double Helix Structure of DNA](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21344.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21344.jpg)

## Image Caption

"Photograph 51" by Raymond Gosling, 1952.

This famous image was taken by Raymond Gosling (1926-2015) while working under [Rosalind Franklin](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2845/rosalind-franklin/) (1920-1958). It shows a clear central "X," indicating the helical structure of DNA.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Archives.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Gosling, R. (2025, December 01). Photograph 51: X-Ray Diffraction Image of the Double Helix Structure of DNA. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21344/photograph-51/>
### Chicago
Gosling, Raymond. "Photograph 51: X-Ray Diffraction Image of the Double Helix Structure of DNA." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 01, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21344/photograph-51/>.
### MLA
Gosling, Raymond. "Photograph 51: X-Ray Diffraction Image of the Double Helix Structure of DNA." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 Dec 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21344/photograph-51/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://libgallery.cshl.edu/items/show/51231) by **Raymond Gosling**. Submitted by [Kim Martins](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/kim.martins/ "User Page: Kim Martins"), published on 01 December 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.