Julian, Percy

Hoffmann, Roald (1995). The Same and Not the Same. New York Columbia University Press. 

Aaron J. (1964). The Development of Modem Chemistry. New York Harper Row. 

Thomson, Thomas (1830). The History of Chemistry. London Colburn and Bentley. 

Percy Lavon Julian, the grandson of slaves, developed many useful products from soybeans, including cortisone. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 11, 1899. His father, James Sumner Julian, was a railway clerk, and his mother, Elizabeth Lena (Adams) Julian, a schoolteacher. 

Julian attended public schools in Montgomery. After he was admitted to DePauw University, his family moved with him to Greencastle, Indiana, to enable them to give him their full support. At DePauw his interest in science evolved into a desire to become a research organic chemist. Julian graduated at the top of his class with a bachelor s degree in chemistry in 1920. He was class valedictorian and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. 

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