Percy Lavon Julian was an African American chemist and research scientist, who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama on April 11, 1899 and was one of six children born to a family of sharecroppers. Despite facing widespread racial discrimination and limited educational opportunities, Percy Julian was determined to pursue higher education and a career in science.

Julian received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from DePauw University in 1920 and went on to earn a Master of Arts in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1923. He then went to Vienna, Austria to study under Richard Willstätter, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist. While in Europe, he continued his research on the chemical structure of natural substances and made several important discoveries.

Upon his return to the United States, Julian joined the faculty of Howard University, where he continued his research and taught chemistry. In 1935, he moved to Chicago and founded his own research laboratory, which focused on the isolation and synthesis of natural products with medicinal and industrial applications. He was particularly interested in the plant substances called alkaloids, which have a wide range of pharmaceutical and medicinal uses.

One of Julian's most significant achievements was the synthesis of the hormone cortisone, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a key role in the regulation of stress and inflammation. Cortisone was an important treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating and painful autoimmune disease, and Julian's work paved the way for its widespread use as a pharmaceutical drug.

Julian's other notable achievements include the synthesis of physostigmine, a drug used to treat glaucoma, and the development of a process for the industrial-scale synthesis of the hormone progesterone, which was important for the production of birth control pills. He was also the first to synthesize the male hormone testosterone, which is important for male sexual development and health.

Despite his many contributions to the field of chemistry, Percy Julian faced considerable racism and discrimination throughout his career. He was denied promotions and opportunities for advancement because of his race, and was even subjected to death threats by white supremacists who opposed his work. Despite these challenges, Julian remained committed to his work and continued to make important contributions to science.

Percy Lavon Julian died on April 19, 1975, but his legacy lives on. He was recognized for his pioneering work in chemistry and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1973. Today, he is remembered as a pioneering scientist and a trailblazer for African Americans in the sciences. His work helped to break down barriers and pave the way for future generations of scientists, regardless of their race or background.