Percy Lavon Julian

1899–1975

What Percy contributed

Developed chemical processes for producing medicines and hormones from plant materials, including a lower-cost route connected with cortisone production.

The story

Julian was a pioneering synthetic chemist whose work with soybeans produced medical and industrial compounds. He became one of the first Black chemists inducted into the National Academy of Sciences.

Why it matters

His chemistry helped make essential steroid medicines more available and affordable.

Patent record
U.S. Patent 2,752,339 and others