Percy Lavon Julian

Percy Lavon Julian (April 11, 1899 – April 19, 1975) was an American research chemist and a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. He was the first to synthesize the natural product physostigmine, and a pioneer in the industrial large-scale chemical synthesis of the human hormones progesterone and testosterone from plant sterols such as stigmasterol and sitosterol. His work laid the foundation for the steroid drug industry's production of cortisone, other corticosteroids, and birth control pills.

Early life and education

Julian was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of a railway mail clerk and the grandson of slaves. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. After graduating from DePauw in 1920, Julian wanted to obtain his doctorate in chemistry, but learned it was "extremely difficult" for African-Americans to do so.

Career

Julian taught at Fisk University, a historically black college, and continued his graduate work at Harvard University, where he earned a master's degree. He then went to the University of Vienna, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1931. Julian then took a position at Howard University.

In 1935, Julian returned to DePauw University to continue his research. He began work on synthesizing physostigmine for treatment of glaucoma. His work was a success and he was able to create a synthetic version of the drug that was inexpensive and easily produced.

In 1953, Julian founded his own company, Julian Laboratories, Inc. He sold the company in 1961 for $2.3 million and started the Julian Research Institute, a non-profit research organization.

Legacy

Julian's work changed the face of the pharmaceutical industry and he is regarded as one of the most influential chemists in American history. He was one of the first African-Americans to receive a doctorate in chemistry, and his work laid the groundwork for the development of birth control pills and other steroid drugs.

See also

• List of African-American inventors and scientists
• History of science and technology in the United States
• Chemistry

External links

• American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks

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  Portrait of Percy Lavon Julian