Percy Lavon Julian

["Research Chemist", "Industrialist", "Steroid Pioneer"]

Born Apr 11, 1899

Montgomery (Alabama), United States

Passed Away Apr 19, 1975 Waukegan (Illinois), United States

Lifespan 76 years old

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"I have felt that one of the greatest pleasures in life is to do what people say you cannot do."

Archival Overview

Pioneering African American chemist who developed total chemical synthesis of physostigmine for glaucoma and scalable plant-based synthesis of steroid hormones such as cortisone and progesterone.

Biographical Record

Percy Lavon Julian (1899–1975) triumphed over Jim Crow segregation to graduate valedictorian from DePauw University and earn his doctorate at the University of Vienna. In 1935, he completed the world's first total synthesis of physostigmine, a breakthrough medicine for glaucoma.

At the Glidden Company, Julian extracted stigmasterol from soybeans to synthesize progesterone and cortisone at a fraction of their historical cost, making treatment for rheumatoid arthritis universally affordable. He registered more than 130 chemical patents.

Key Life Milestones

1935

Total Synthesis of Physostigmine

Synthesized the glaucoma therapeutic drug physostigmine from fundamental precursors.

1949

Low-Cost Cortisone Synthesis

Engineered industrial extraction of Compound S from soybean sterols, making cortisone accessible.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Elmwood Cemetery
River Grove (Illinois), United States

                         GPS: 41.9214, -87.8286                    

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