Percy was the eldest of their six children. His father james julian was a mail clerk in the railway service of the united states post office and his mother elizabeth lena julian was a school teacher.

Percy Lavon Julian Biography Childhood Life Achievements Timeline

Percy lavon julian was born in montgomery alabama on april 11 1899.

Percy lavon julian biography. Percy lavon julian april 11 1899 april 19 1975 was an american research chemist and a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. He was the first to synthesize the natural product physostigmine plus a pioneer in the industrial large scale chemical synthesis of the human hormones progesterone and testosterone from plant sterols such as stigmasterol and sitosterol. Percy lavon julian 1899 1975 was among the many scientists including russell earl marker carl djerassi and george rosenkranz who participated actively in the synthesis and large scale production of steroids from plant compounds.

He attended school through the eighth grade but there were no high schools open to black students. Percy lavon julian was born april 11 1899 in montgomery alabama the grandson of former slaves.