Percy Lavon Julian

Percy "Harrot" Lavon Julian

Hey! My name is Harrot. But today, you can call me Percy Lavon Julian!

I am an African American Scientist who was not allowed to attend high school but went on to earn my PhD. and become known as The most influential chemist in American History!

I was born in Montgomery, Alabama on April 11th, 1899 and passed on April 19th, 1975.

Not being able to attend high school in Montgomery, Alabama because black students were not accepted. I applied and was accepted to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where I had to take high school-level classes at night to get caught up with my classmates. I still graduated first in my class with Phi Beta Kappa Honors!

I then accepted a position as a Chemistry Instructor at Fisk University and left when I received a scholarship to attend Harvard University to finish my Master’s degree. (Harvard did not allow me to receive my Doctorate) I then traveled for several years teaching at Black Colleges before obtaining my Ph. D at the University of Vienna in Austria in 1931.

In 1935, I became recognized internationally for creating a treatment for Glaucoma!

I created so many treatments using Soybeans! I created testosterone and invented Aero-Foam which was a product that came in handy during World War II to put out oil and gas fires!

People were really amazed when I invented Cortisone, which is used in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis!

In 1961, after selling my company named Julian Laboratories, I became one of the first black Millionaires.

For the rest of my life, I ran a Nonprofit Organization named Julian Research Institute!

Today, I am Percy Lavon Julian! And so are you!