Dr. Percy L. Julian, “Forgotten Genius”

The film “Forgotten Genius” has now been made by NOVA/WGBH, with some critical and timely support from ACS. It will broadcast nationally on public television, February 6, 2007. In a very real sense, we will come full circle when we gather in San Francisco at the 232nd ACS National Meeting to celebrate the making and screening of the film.

In 1999, the Committee on Minority Affairs (CMA) presented a program in observance of the 100th anniversary of Dr. Percy L. Julian, the eminent African–American organic medicinal chemist. About that same time, the management team of NOVA, which produces award-winning science and technology television films for the public broadcasting station WGBH in Boston, had decided to produce biographies of four eminent, historically significant scientists. The NOVA producers immediately selected Einstein, Galileo, and Madame Curie. Upon hearing about the CMA program scheduled for March 22, 1999, NOVA producer/directors Steve Lyons and Llew Smith made plans to be in Anaheim for the ACS National Meeting. After attending celebrations and additional observances at DePauw University, where Dr. Julian was honored with a National Historic Chemical Landmark for his physostigmine synthesis, and in Dr. Julian's hometown of Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago section, they had no doubts as to who would be the subject of the fourth film biography.

Dr. Julian’s achievements are legendary. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Vienna (Austria) in 1931, he went on to synthesize the glaucoma drug physostigmine, serve as director of fine chemicals and food research for the Glidden Co., develop processes for the synthesis of steroid intermediates leading to cortisone and female hormones, and develop processes for the isolation of pure soya protein, phosphatides, and lecithin from soybeans for use as food products.

The soya protein was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy for use in fighting fires aboard ships and planes, thus saving thousand of lives. Dr. Julian left Glidden in 1954 to establish his own laboratory, which he sold to Smith, Kline, and French in 1961 for $2.5M. In addition to having consulting arrangements with several major pharmaceutical companies, he established another research laboratory which he headed until his death in 1975. Dr. Julian had more than 100 patents and 60 scholarly publications. He received 19 honorary doctorates and numerous other honors and awards. In 1998, he was recognized by Chemical and Engineering News as one of the “Top 75 Distinguished Contributors to the Chemical Enterprise". He was honored by the U.S. Postal Service, which issued a commemorative stamp in the Black Heritage Series in 1993.

The 232nd ACS National Meeting in San Francisco will feature a full-day symposium, “Dr. Percy L. Julian: Scientist, Humanist, Educator, Entrepreneur, and Inspirational Trailblazer,” that will include 30 minutes of excerpts from “Forgotten Genius”. The symposium, scheduled for Monday, September 11, at 8:30 a.m., is a Presidential Event, sponsored by CMA in significant collaboration with the ACS Board Task Force on Percy Julian and from numerous cosponsors. All are invited to attend. See C&EN and chemistry.org for further important details on location and related events.

Jim Shoffner, Chair, Percy Julian Symposium Committee
Linette Watkins, Chair, ACS Committee on Minority Affairs

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