Science & Tech
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Born on the west side of Holt Street on April 11, 1899, Percy Lavon Julian entered Depauw University in 1916 and graduated in chemistry with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He earned a master's from Harvard and a Ph.D. at the University of Vienna. His studies led to a synthetic drug for glaucoma. Experiments with soybean oils resulted in Compound S, an affordable synthetic form of cortisone for arthritis treatment. Julian's work included developments in the production of artificial hormones and a foam for fighting fires on board ships. Dedicated to relieving human suffering, he held over 130 patents at his death in April 1975. The U.S. issued a postage stamp in his honor in 1992.
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Montgomery, Alabama · United States
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