4. Percy Lavon Julian (1899 – 1975)
Percy Lavon Julian was an American chemist and entrepreneur, who is known as the pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs.
After Julian received his doctorate, he experienced severe racism and was rejected for more than one professorship and private-sector position he applied to. When all hope was lost, he met his former mentor, William Blanchard, a professor of chemistry at DePauw who offered him a position to teach organic chemistry in 1932.
Julian invented a way to conduct a total synthesis of physostigmine. He was also the genius who created ways to produce human hormones such as progesterone and cortisone on an industrial scale. Due to his hard work, drugs like cortisone, steroids, and birth control pills are now easily accessible to the public.
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For his great discoveries, Julian received many awards which include the Spingarn Medal, The Distinguished Service Award of the Phi Beta Kappa Association, the Chicagoan of the Year Award, and thirteen honorary degrees.
