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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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woman with glasses seated at a table reading a book
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
1900 - 1979
b/w photo of a women seated in a dress
Mary Engle Pennington
1872 - 1952
portrait of Ellen Richards in a cap and gown
Ellen H. Swallow Richards
1842 - 1911
sepia toned portrait of a man in coat and riding boots
Ignaz Semmelweis
1818 - 1865
woman seated writing notes
Maxine Singer
1931 - 2024
Rosalyn Yalow
1921 - 2011
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About Scientific Biographies

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