Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD
While earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, Julian became a Theta Initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha in 1913 and later a charter member of the Xi Lambda alumni chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in 1924.
In 1917, Julian earned his medical degree at Rush Medical College. While completing his degree, he continued working on research at the University of Chicago in partnership with the Sprague Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
During his time at the Sprague Institute at the University of Chicago, Julian was mentored by the director of the institute, H. Gideon Wells. Together, they published seven scientific articles between 1920 and 1927. Julian developed his skill in immunochemistry, and was particularly interested in exploring racial differences in physiology while debunking eugenics ideologies and notions of racial inferiority.
Upon completion of his medical degree, Julian was appointed Instructor to the Department of Pathology at the University of Chicago making him the first African American to teach at the University of Chicago. He rose through the ranks at the University of Chicago becoming Assistant Professor in 1923 and later, Associate Professor.
Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 4, Folder 42], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Page 1 of a letter from H. Gideon Wells, Julian's mentor, to Julian's father, John Lewis. In the letter, Wells congratulates Julian's parents on Julian's upcoming graduation and expresses his appreciation for Julian's ability and character.
Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 2, Folder 16], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
University of Chicago Weekly Calendar listing a talk given by Julian on "Causes of Variations in Disease among Races" on November 25, 1925.
