Percy Lavon Julian

Percy Lavon Julian was an African American chemist who made significant contributions to the field of synthetic chemistry. Born in Alabama in 1899, Julian earned his undergraduate degree from DePauw University and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Vienna in Austria. Julian’s work in the field of organic chemistry was groundbreaking, particularly in the area of synthesizing useful compounds from plant sources.

Julian’s work led to the development of several important drugs, including cortisone, a steroid hormone used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. His work also contributed to the production of other important chemicals, such as fire retardants and foam rubber. Despite facing discrimination and racism throughout his career, Julian’s contributions to the field of synthetic chemistry were recognized with numerous awards and honors.

In 1993, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp featuring Percy Lavon Julian. The stamp is part of the Black Heritage Series. The stamp features a portrait of Julian along with a graphic representation of the chemical structure of one of his most important discoveries, a compound called physostigmine, which is used to treat glaucoma. The stamp honors Julian’s groundbreaking work in the field of synthetic chemistry and his important contributions to the scientific community.