Percy Lavon Julian

Abstract

Percy Lavon Julian (1899–1975) The contributions of Dr. Julian to the field of medicinal chemistry began humbly at the turn of the century in the segregated American South. Percy Lavon Julian was born on April 11, 1899, in Montgomery, AL. His formal public education was limited, while his secondary education ended at the eighth grade which was the norm for African Americans at that time. His father, who had been denied the opportunity to go to college, made it a priority to ensure that his children received this opportunity.14 Julian went on to complete two years of teacher training at the State Normal School for Negroes in Montgomery. In 1916, Julian became the first in his family to attend college when he was admitted to DePauw University in Green-castle, IN. During his first two years of college, Julian took remedial classes in addition to his college courses to make up for the academic deficiencies resulting from his limited primary education. Despite this, Julian was an excellent student in college and was elected as a member of both the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies. In 1920, Julian earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and was named valedictorian of his class. DePauw University circa 1916. A few African American students had been accepted to DePauw before Julian arrived; however, the culture was far from accepting. When he arrived, Julian was taken to off-campus housing because the dorms on campus were for “whites only.” Furthermore, it took a day and a half for Julian to find a diner that would serve him. This would be the beginning of many unwelcoming environments Julian would overcome and thrive in. Despite overcoming the barrier of obtaining a college education denied to his father, there were many more obstacles for Julian to overcome …