Hate can’t stop him -- entirely

If you’ve ever taken birth control pills or used cortisone to alleviate arthritis pains, you’re already familiar with his achievements. But the solutions Percy Julian discovered in the chemistry lab pale in comparison with those he had to devise for survival as a black man living in a segregated society.

In a two-hour biography airing at 8 p.m. Tuesday, PBS’ “Nova” explores the life of a “Forgotten Genius” who became a renowned research chemist and a lesser-known civil rights pioneer.

The dramatized documentary details how the grandson of Alabama slaves transformed himself into a millionaire and tells of the obstacles he faced along the way -- including threats of arson and firebombs at his home.

“In some ways, he is a powerful paradox,” said Llewellyn M. Smith, the film’s director. “He wanted to do something great for his country, but at the same time, it is a country that doesn’t recognize him as an equal person.”

Julian taught at Howard University as well as at his undergraduate alma mater, DePauw University, in the 1920s and ‘30s. Despite his academic credentials, he had to fight just to get his foot in the door at most laboratories.

By the time of his death in 1975 at age 76, Julian held more than 100 patents.