Percy Lavon Julian Chemist

 Percy Lavon Julian 1899 - 1975


Percy Julian had plenty of obstacles in his way as many did in the 19th century. However, he didn't allow those obstacles to prohibit him from acquiring his education to the Ph.D. level. Percy explorations through organizations he had access to developed into chemical synthesis of drugs which became treatments for glaucoma and arthritis.

Percy Lavon Julian born on April 11, 1899, in Montgomery, Alabama who was the grandson to former slaves. Eighth grade was the highest education he had access to in his area at that time. Percy attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana which gave him the opportunity to become academically equal with his peers. Percy received a scholarship to attend Harvard University earning his master's degree. In 1931 Percy acquired his Ph.D. at the University of Vienna in Austria.

In 1935, Percy had international praise by synthesizing physostigmine from the calabar bean to develop a glaucoma drug treatment. Despite Percy's accomplishments academically and professionally he was rejected from jobs he applied because of his race. He finally received an opportunity to work at Glidden Company as a lab director. He was able to create Aero-Foam which was commonly used in World War II. Percy continued his research extracting sterols, synthesizing progesterone and testosterone hormones, and synthesis of cortisone. In 1954, Percy founded Julian Laboratories. However, becoming one of the first black millionaires he sold the company in 1961. Then, he founded Julian Research Institute. Percy Julian was the first black chemist elected to the National Academy of the Sciences in 1973, National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990, and acknowledged by the American Chemical Society in 1999 for synthesis of physostigmine. On April 19, 1975, Percy died from liver cancer.


               Percy Lavon Julian - Wikipedia

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