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.