The younger Watson enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1919 to study French, English, and writing.

Watson started his medical career at a clinic in Minot, North Dakota before moving to Germany in 1930 to work with Hans Fischer.

[2] Upon his return to the United States in 1932, Watson began working at Minneapolis General Hospital.

Watson lead the medical school as chairman from 1943 to 1966, stepping down for a position at Northwestern Hospital.

[3] Watson was named a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1959,[4] and the Cecil J. Watson Award was inaugurated in his honor by the Minneapolis Society of Internal Medicine in 1961.