Percy Julian (1899-1975), Afro-American chemist. Julian was born in Alabama, USA. Following an outstanding academic career, Julian moved to Vienna, Austria in 1929, where he was awarded his PhD. Julian's time in Austria sparked an interest in organic chemistry and on his return to the USA, Julian began work on the synthesis of physostigmine, a treatment for glaucoma. He also developed compounds from soya beans, such as inexpensive sex hormones, which helped prevent miscarriages and were used to fight cancer. Julian also used soya beans to synthesise cortisone, an expensive pain killer. His research won him Chicagoan of the Year in 1950.