In 1999, the ACS Committee on Minority Affairs (CMA) presented a program in observance of the 100th Anniversary of the birth 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 PBS station WGBH in Boston, decided to produce biographies of four eminent, historically significant scientists. They immediately selected Einstein, Galileo, and Madame Curie. Upxxxon hearing about the CMA program scheduled for March 22, 1999, Steve Lyons and Llew Smith, NOVA producers/directors, made plans to be in Anaheim for the 217th 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 all-day symposium his hometown of Chicago sponsored by the Chicago Section, there was no doubt 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 in 1931, he synthesized the glaucoma drug physostigmine, served as director of fine chemicals and food research for the Glidden Co., developed processes for the synthesis of steroid intermediates leading to cortisone and female hormones, and developed processes for the isolation from soybeans of pure soya protein, phosphatides, and lecithin for use as food products.
The soya protein was requisitioned by the Navy for use in fighting fires aboard ships and planes, saving thousand of lives. Dr. Julian left Glidden in 1954 to establish his own laboratory, which he sold to SmithKline & French in 1961 for $2.5 million. Along with having consulting arrangements with several major pharmaceutical companies, he went on to establish 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 & Engineering News as one of the “Top 75 Contributors to the Chemical Enterprise.” He was honored by the U.S. Postal Service by the issuance of a commemorative stamp in the Black Heritage Series in 1993.
The film was produced by NOVA/WGBH, with some critical and timely support from the American Chemical Society. In a very real sense, we have come full circle as we gather in San Francisco at the 232nd ACS National Meeting to celebrate the making and showing of the film, titled “Forgotten Genius.” The full-day symposium, “Dr. Percy L. Julian: Scientist, Humanist, Educator, Entrepreneur, and Inspirational Trailblazer,” will conclude with 30 minutes of film excerpts. The film is scheduled to be shown nationally on Public Television on February 6, 2007. The symposium is a Presidential Event with significant collaboration with the Board Task Force on Percy Julian and numerous cosponsors.
Jim Shoffner,
Chair, ACS Percy Julian Symposium Committee
Linette Watkins,
Chair, ACS Committee on Minority Affairs