48 Percy Lavon Julian
Percy Lavon Julian |
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1899- 1975 Subject: Chemistry
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Biography:Percy Lavon Julian was born on April 11, 1899, in Montgomery, Alabama. He first attended DePauw University in Indiana, where he graduated in 1920 as valedictorian, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Even with impressive academic achievements, Julian faced discrimination as he tried to continue his education. Many graduate schools were unwilling to admit him, likely because of racial prejudice. Following advice from a mentor, he took a position as a chemistry teacher at Fisk University, a Black college in Nashville, Tennessee. After two years at Fisk, Julian was awarded the Austin Fellowship in Chemistry, allowing him to enroll at Harvard University for his master’s degree, which he completed in 1923. Despite his academic success, Julian encountered further roadblocks, as he was denied opportunities like teaching assistantships due to his race. He took a teaching job at West Virginia State College but was ultimately not satisfied with his role there. He soon moved to Howard University, where he became an associate professor of chemistry. Julian then earned a fellowship to study at the University of Vienna in Austria, where he completed his Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1931. During his time in Vienna, he worked with Ernst Späth, a renowned chemist, and began his own explorations on the potential of soybeans, which would later become central to his work. After earning his Ph.D., Julian returned to the U.S. and briefly led the chemistry department at Howard University. He later joined DePauw University, where he collaborated with Dr. Josef Pikl to synthesize physostigmine, a drug used to treat glaucoma. In 1936, Julian made the leap to industry, joining the Glidden Company as the Director of the Soya Products Division. He became the first Black scientist in that role. At Glidden, Julian developed aerofoam, a flame retardant used by the U.S. Navy during World War II, and created cost-effective methods to produce hormones like progesterone and testosterone from soybeans. These breakthroughs reduced the cost of important medications and made treatments more widely accessible for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. His works earned him the title of “Chicagoan of the Year” in 1950. In 1954, Julian left Glidden to start Julian Laboratories, where he focused on improving cortisone production. He later opened a facility in Mexico to cultivate wild yams, which turned out to be a more efficient source for hormone synthesis than soybeans. Throughout his career, Julian authored (and co-authored) over 160 scientific publications, earned 15 honorary degrees, and made a lasting impact on the scientific community. Percy Lavon Julian passed away on April 19, 1975, in Waukegan, Illinois, from liver cancer.
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Summary of their contributions:Percy Lavon Julian made several groundbreaking contributions to chemistry and medicine. His synthesis of physostigmin