Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975) a pioneering chemist who was not allowed to attend high school but went on to earn his Ph.D. His research at academic and corporate institutions led to the chemical synthesis of drugs to treat glaucoma and arthritis, and although his race presented challenges at every turn, he is regarded as one of the most influential chemists in American history. Julian’s life was the subject of a documentary film made for PBS’s Nova series, entitled Forgotten Genius.
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