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Scientific Biographies

Science is a human pursuit. Meet some of the people who have contributed to the history of chemistry, chemical engineering, and the life sciences.
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Percy Lavon Julian

The grandson of enslaved people, Julian overcame racial barriers to achieve scientific, business, and personal success.

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Dr. Percy Lavon Julian is pictured at the newly constructed chemistry building named in his honor at MacMurray College, 1972.
Science History Institute
Dr. Percy Lavon Julian honored at MacMurray College

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blue silk dress from the 1700s
Blue Silk Dress
ca. 1700s
Portrait of Helia Bravo-Hollis, 2001.
Helia Bravo-Hollis
1901 - 2001
black and white photo of George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver
ca. 1864 - 1943
Undated portrait of mycologist Vera Charles
Vera Katherine Charles
18771954 - 1954
Edith Coleman
1874 - 1951
drawing of a man in a hat
Francisco Hernández
1515 - 1587
Dr. Percy Lavon Julian honored at MacMurray College
Percy Lavon Julian
1899 - 1975
Russell Earl Marker
1902 - 1995
man standing at a table looking down
Eizi Matuda
1894 - 1978
black and white photo of a man
Isaac Ochoterena
1895 - 1950
color photo of a man with a baby on his shoulders
Calvin Ross Sperling
1957 - 1995
Portrait of Jokichi Takamine
Jokichi Takamine
1854 - 1922

About Scientific Biographies

Everything you need to know about our scientific biographies, including how to contact us, cite a biography, pitch a scientist, write a biography, or republish a biography.