Career Milestones
Gaining recognition (1973-present)
In 1973, after more than four decades of chemical research, Julian became only
the second African-American elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of
the highest honors awarded to scientists in any field. Over time, he received
18 honorary degrees and over a dozen civic and scientific awards, and in 1993
the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in his honor. In 1999, the
American Chemical Society recognized Julian's synthesis of the glaucoma drug
physostigmine as one of the top 25 achievements in the history of American
chemistry, a true testament to the importance of his work.