Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD

Black and white photo of Julian H. Lewis seated at a microscope. — Julian H. Lewis, MD, PhD
Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 10, Folder 60], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Julian H. Lewis seated at a microscope, circa 1960s-1970s

Julian Herman Lewis was born to Cordelia O. Lewis (née Scott) and John Calhoun Lewis on May 26, 1891 in Shawneetown, Illinois. Julian and his sisters, Laura Louise Lewis Young and Clara Vesta Lewis Caldwell, were raised in Cairo, Illinois.

Julian’s parents migrated from the South at a time when discrimination laws limited educational opportunities for African Americans. In Illinois, there were more opportunities for formal education. Strong proponents of academic excellence, Cordelia and John were supportive of Julian’s academic pursuits and advised him to study science as they believed there is no “color line” in nature. These words and perspectives reverberate through Julian’s professional endeavors and all that he accomplished with odds against him.

Julian earned his undergraduate degree in 1911 and an M.A. from the University of Illinois in 1912. He earned a Ph.D. in physiology and pathology from the University of Chicago in 1915 and later a medical degree from Rush Medical College in 1917. Julian’s career focused on immunochemistry and physiology research.

Julian was a part of the first cohort of John Simon Guggenheim Fellows in 1926. Through the fellowship, he received an award to study abroad at a research laboratory at the University of Basel, Switzerland and at the Staatlichen Serotherapeutischen Institut in Vienna from 1926 to 1927. His wife, Eva, and children, Gloria and Julian, Jr., joined him in Europe and resided in Paris while he conducted his research.

After returning to the United States, Julian continued doing medical research on immunochemistry at the University of Chicago. He received a grant from the Julius Rosenwald Fund to write a book titled The Biology of the Negro published in 1942. Julian left the University of Chicago in 1943 and continued his research at Provident Hospital, the first Black-owned and operated hospital in the United States, where he later became Chief Pathologist. His professional career also included working at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago and St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana. Additionally, he served as director of the pathology department at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana.

In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Julian held leadership roles and was actively involved in civic engagement within the Black community. He was a board member of the Urban League of the South Park Community Center and the Abraham Lincoln School. He also served as one of the directors of Douglass National Bank, started by his father-in-law, Anthony Overton, and he was a member of several honor societies and professional and social fraternities including Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Pi Phi (The Boulé), Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Xi, and Alpha Omega Alpha.

Black and white studio portrait of a young Julian in Cairo, IL. He is wearing a white shirt, suit vest, a jacket, and bowtie. — Julian H. Lewis as a young boy, 1902

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 8, Folder 34], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

1902 studio portrait of eleven year old Julian H. Lewis in Cairo, Illinois.

Julian in a black and white photo is posing in his ROTC uniform at the University of Illinois, circa 1908 — Julian H. Lewis in ROTC uniform, circa 1908

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 8, Folder 38], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Julian posing in his ROTC uniform at the University of Illinois, circa 1908.

A John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship award letter was sent to Julian on April 12, 1926. The letter indicates that his fellowship period was from September 1, 1926 to August 31, 1927. He was required to study chemistry and immunology. — Guggenheim Fellowship Award Letter, 1926

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 2, Folder 30], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Julian's American Board of Pathology certificate, granted to him oJulian's American Board of Pathology certificate, granted to him on June 8, 1944 certifying his practice of pathologic anatomy and clinical pathology.n June 8, 1944 certifying his practice of pathologic anatomy and clinical pathology. — American Board of Pathology Certificate, 1944

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 25, Folder 3], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Newspaper clipping titled "Lewis Lone Negro On U Of C Medical Staff." The article was written by Deton J. Brooks, Jr. and discusses Julian's work as an associate professor and researcher, his family's background in Kentucky, and his academic and professional accomplishments. It also mentions his community engagement activities. — Newspaper Clipping, Julian H. Lewis, MD, PhD on U of C Medical Staff

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 1, Folder #18], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

News clipping about Julian H. Lewis, MD, PhD being the only African American on the University of Chicago staff. The article also discusses his family's roots in Kentucky, his professional and academic achievements, and his community involvement in Chicago.

Julian H. Lewis, MD, PhD in Mercy Lab, circa 1940s-1960s

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 1, Folder 17], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Newspaper clipping featuring a photo of Dr. Julian Lewis using a microscope at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana. The article discusses Dr. Lewis' role as the director of the semi-automated medical laboratory and the lab's plans for using new equipment in the facility.