Percy Lavon Julian - Chemist & Researcher

Percy Lavon Julian synthesized physostigmine, a medication most commonly used to manage and treat antimuscarinic toxicity and glaucoma and cortisone for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. He led research that resulted in mass production of the hormones progesterone, testosterone, and of cortisone drugs.

Born on April 11, 1899 in Montgomery, Alabama, Percy had little schooling. At that time, there was limited public education for blacks. However, he entered DePauw University as a "sub-freshman" (a student preparing for the freshman year) and graduated in 1920 as class valedictorian. He then taught chemistry at Fisk University, and in 1923, earned a master's degree from Harvard University. In 1931, Percy received his Ph.D. from the University of Vienna.

He returned to DePauw University, where his reputation was established in 1935 by synthesizing physostigmine from the calabar bean, a medicinal plant with a toxic seed.. Julian went on to become Director of Research at the Glidden Company, a paint and varnish manufacturer. He developed a process for isolating and preparing soy bean protein, which was used to coat and size paper, create cold water paints, and size textiles. During World War II, Percy used a soy protein to produce a substance called "AeroFoam" which suffocates gasoline and oil fires. This was of great use to the Navy.

Julian was noted most for his synthesis of cortisone from soy beans, used in treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. His synthesis reduced the price of cortisone.

In 1950, he was named Man of the Year in a Chicago Sun-Times poll but his home was bombed and burned when he moved to the all-white suburb of Oak Park. He was active as a fund-raiser for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for their project to sue to enforce civil rights legislation.