What Were Barbara McClintocks Achievements?
Recognition of her scientific accomplishments came late in life to Barbara McClintock. In 1983, when she was 81, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for her discoveries in genetics. An intense and dedicated scientist, she had never sought the adulation that accompanies so prestigious a prize. Rather, in the many years that preceded her international recognition, she would have been content with an earlier understanding and acceptance of her findings. Although she did not allow the general lack of support to deter her, she nevertheless had to overcome obstacles that could easily have discouraged a woman less persevering than herself. In 1936, when she was a young assistant professor in the botany department of the University of Missouri, the engagement announcement of a woman of the same name appeared in the newspapers. Mistakenly assuming the announcement to be that of Dr. McClintock, the department chairman warned her that if she was to be married, she would be
