In 1916, Percy Julian left home to go to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. While there he waited on tables and had a room in the attic of an all white Fraternity house. His high school classes hadn't prepared him for college, so during his first two years, he took both college classes and high school classes which his former school had not offered.

In 1920 he graduated as class Valedictorian.

After graduation he taught for several years at Fisk University, Howard University and West Virginia State College. He continued his education by going to Harvard, where in 1923 he received his Masters degree, then on to the University of Vienna to earn a Doctorate in Chemistry in 1931.

While Percy Julian was teaching at Howard, he met Anna, who was teaching in the Washington, D.C. public schools. When he came back from Europe in 1935, he and Anna married (December of that year). Anna returned to Washington to finish out the school year and to complete her Doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1936, Percy and Anna Julian moved to Chicago. They had two children of their own and also raised their nephew, Leon Ellis. The children all attended the Oak Park Elementary schools and Oak Park/River Forest High School.

The Julians and Discrimination

While he was in school, people tried to discourage Percy Julian's study of chemistry because he was black. At that time in the history of the United States people didn't think a black man would be able to find a job in the field of chemistry when he finished his studies, no matter how bright he was.

In 1950 when the Julians planned to move to Oak Park, it was an all white suburb. During Thanksgiving weekend their new home at East and Chicago Avenues was surrounded by protesters who tried to burn it down. The Julians had not yet moved in, and while the firemen prevented the total destruction of the house, it was May of the following year before it could be occupied.

During that summer ('51) a dynamite bomb was thrown from a car as it sped past the house. It ripped apart a flower bed just four feet from the house.

This was the beginning of a huge change in the Village of Oak Park. People did not like what they saw happening. Forty six Villagers signed a letter of apology, expressing regret for the incident and formally welcoming the family to Oak Park. They had the letter printed in the SunTimes Newspaper. They didn't stop there, however, but also formed a 350 person committee offering both support and protection. The newspapers carried many letters and responses in favor of the family. One letter stated in part..."We wonder whether those cowards whose mad prejudice drove them to commit such a felony (the bombing) would refuse to use the lifesaving discoveries of Dr. Julian the scientist, but they try to exclude Dr. Julian the human being."

Percy Julian was gradually accepted in the community where he developed a role as a civil rights activist. He founded the National Negro Business and Professional Committee for the Legal Defense Fund. He also raised money for the NAACP and for donations to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Oak Park has been greatly influenced by Dr. Percy Julian. He encouraged the Human Relations Commission in the Village government and the Oak Park Housing Center which has helped make Oak Park one of the most efficient systems of integration in the country.

Percy Julian died of cancer in 1975.