A steroid chemist and an entrepreneur, Percy Julian ingeniously figured out how to synthesize important medicinal compounds from abundant plant sources, making them more affordable to mass-produce.
-Science History Institute
Dr. Percy Lavon Julian 4/11/1899-4/19/1975
- Grandson of a slave
- Earned his PhD: Studied at University of Vienna, Harvard University, De Pauw University
- Dr. Julian’s synthesis methods (using plant sources like soybeans) have been used to produce hormones to treat rhematoid arthritis and to prevent miscarriage.
- Founded Julian Laboratories which he later sold to Smith, Kline and French. Smith, Kline and French ultimately, via several mergers and aquisitions, became GlaxoSmithKline
Learn more by following these links
Biography- Dr. Percy Julian Biography
Science history- Dr. Percy Julian’s Scientific Contributions
…and there’s a high school named after him in Chicago 😉
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But the gag is how’s it possible that the rest of us, outside Chicago, ain’t never heard of him?
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Exactly…kind of like that other guy.
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You had me at “PhD.” 😀
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Ellie!!!! Hey there!🥰
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