Percy Lavon Julian was an American research chemist and a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. Julian was the first person to synthesize the natural product physostigmine, and a pioneer in industrial large-scale chemical synthesis of the human hormones progesterone and testosterone from plant sterols such as stigmasterol and sitosterol. His work laid the foundation for the steroid drug industry's production of cortisone, other corticosteroids, and artificial hormones that led to birth control pills.
Percy Lavon Julian, American chemist and academic (born 1899)
Percy Lavon Julian, American chemist and academic (born 1899)
On April 19, in the year 1975, Percy Lavon Julian, American chemist and academic (born 1899). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of April 19, one of 299 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including Percy Lavon Julian. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on April 19, 1975 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 15 April 2026.
On This Date in History 299
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
People Involved
More on April 19
Ælfheah of Canterbury, English archbishop and saint (born 954)
Ælfheah of Canterbury, English archbishop and saint (born 954)
Hisham II, Umayyad caliph of Córdoba (born 966)
Hisham II, Umayyad caliph of Córdoba (born 966)
Leo IX, pope of the Catholic Church (born 1002)
Leo IX, pope of the Catholic Church (born 1002)
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.