Percy Julian

Percy Julian was a pioneering chemist who developed work that revolutionized modern access and expanded access to life-saving treatments. He was born on April 11th, 1899 and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. During this time, Julian grew up during intense racial segregation that severely affected and limited educational opportunities for African Americans (Percy Julian | American Chemist, n.d.).  Despite these challenges, he demonstrated exceptional academic abilities from a very young age. Since there were no public high schools available to Black students in his community, Julian entered DePauw University with academic gaps that he had to overcome on his own. During this time, he excelled academically and graduated as valedictorian in 1920 (DePauw University, n.d.). Julian later earned a master’s degree from Harvard University, though racial barriers initially prevented him from continuing there for a doctorate (Science History Institute, n.d.). He eventually earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of Vienna in 1931, marking a major milestone in his academic career (Percy Julian | American Chemist, n.d.).

Julian made several groundbreaking contributions to organic chemistry, particularly in the development of medicinal compounds. One of his most notable achievements was the first successful synthesis of physostigmine, a drug that is used to treat glaucoma, which can lead to blindness if untreated (Science History Institute, n.d.). This accomplishment demonstrated his ability to recreate complex natural substances in a laboratory setting and helped advance pharmaceutical chemistry (Science History Institute, n.d.). Additionally, Julian developed innovative methods to derive steroids from plant sources such as soybeans and yams, which were previously difficult and expensive to obtain (Percy Julian | American Chemist, n.d.). His research led to the mass production of hormones such as progesterone and testosterone, as well as cortisone, a medication that was used to treat inflammation and arthritis (Seeman, 2022). These breakthroughs significantly lowered the cost of these medications and made them more widely accessible to patients.

Throughout his career, Julian made major contributions to industrial chemistry. He worked at the Glidden Company, where he directed research on soybean-based products and developed innovative industrial applications (Percy Julian | American Chemist, n.d.). During this time, he created a fire-extinguishing foam used by the U.S. military during World War II, demonstrating the skilled impact of his work (NIHF Inductee Percy Julian and Synthesis of Physostigmine, n.d.). He later founded Julian Laboratories in 1953, where he focused on producing steroid-based pharmaceuticals at a larger scale (Science History Institute, n.d.). Over the course of his career, Julian earned more than 130 patents and became one of the first Black millionaire chemists, reflecting both his scientific and business success (Taylor, 2007). 

Despite his achievements, Julian unfortunately faced persistent racial discrimination that shaped his career and personal life. He was denied teaching positions at universities due to racism, which pushed him toward industrial research instead (Seeman, 2022). He also experienced segregation in housing and education throughout his life. When Julian moved to Oak Park, his family was unfortunately exposed to racial hostility, including attempts to attack their home (Percy Julian | American Chemist, n.d.). Despite these challenges, Julian remained resilient and continued to succeed in science, becoming a powerful example of perseverance to many people  (Science History Institute, n.d.).

Julian’s work earned him widespread recognition as a pioneer in industrial chemistry and pharmaceuticals. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and received numerous honors for his contributions (Percy Lavon Julian, 1999). His research played a key role in developing the modern steroid drug industry and improving access to hormone therapies (Science History Institute, n.d.). Today, Julian is remembered for both his scientific achievements and for breaking racial barriers in STEM fields and inspiring future generations of scientists, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

The impact of Julian’s work on society is profound and long-lasting. By reducing the cost of drugs like cortisone, he made life-saving treatments more accessible to a broader population (Science History Institute, n.d.). His innovations expanded treatment options for inflammatory diseases and eye conditions such as glaucoma (Percy Julian | American Chemist, n.d.). Additionally, his work helped shape the modern pharmaceutical industry and advanced the development of synthetic medicines that are still widely used today (Science History Institute, n.d.). Through both his scientific contributions and personal perseverance, Julian left a legacy that continues to influence medicine and inspire progress in science. 

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Works Cited:

DePauw University. (n.d.). Biography. DePauw University. https://www.depauw.edu/julian/biography/

NIHF Inductee Percy Julian and Synthesis of Physostigmine. (n.d.). Www.invent.org. https://www.invent.org/inductees/percy-lavon-julian

Percy Julian | American chemist. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Percy-Julian

Percy Lavon Julian. (1999, April 23). American Chemical Society. https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/julian.html

‌Percy Lavon Julian. (2026, March 18). Science History Institute. https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/scientific-biographies/percy-lavon-julian/

‌Seeman, J. I. (2022). Percy Lavon Julian: A man who rose to every occasion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(29). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2208883119

Taylor, D. (2007, February). Percy Julian. The National Endowment for the Humanities. https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2007/januaryfebruary/feature/percy-julian