Julian Speaks

When Percy Julian lectured on chemistry or spoke about his scientific career, he put on, as one friend noted, "a grand show." Hear the showmanship for yourself in audio excerpts from one of Julian's most notable speeches. He was invited to give a keynote address at Indiana University in the mid-1960s, when he was in the limelight as one of the country's most accomplished African-American scientists and businessmen. The topic of his address, ostensibly, was "historical highlights in steroid chemistry, the sex hormones, and birth control," but as these audio clips make clear, he used the opportunity to reflect on much more personal matters as well, no doubt to the delight of his lay audience.

Forgotten Genius Home | Send Feedback | Image Credits | Support NOVA

© | Created January 2007