Letton, James Carey
(born: June 9, 1933 - died: March 26, 2013)Born in Paris, KY, James Letton was a 1955 graduate of Kentucky State University who served as president of its Alumni Association from 1979-1984. He earned his Ph. D. from the University of Illinois in 1970 and returned to Kentucky State University to chair the Chemistry Department.
After five years on the Kentucky State faculty, Letton was hired at Proctor & Gamble Company in Cincinnati OH, as an organic chemist. He has a number of patents and was featured in Black Enterprise in 1990 when he was working on the fat substitute Olestra. His research and publications have been in the areas of medicinal chemistry.
Letton has received a number of awards, including being named the 1989 Percy L. Julian Award recipient "for significant contributions in pure and/or applied research in science or engineering." That same year he was awarded the distinguished alumni citation from the National Association for Equal Opportunities in Education.
For more see Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1975-1977; "Changing America's Diet," Black Enterprise, vol. 20, issue 7 (Feb. 1990), p. 106; James Carey Letton in American Men & Women of Science, 1971-2007; Daniel, Dyjuan, "James Letton," 1/30/2015 at the Prezi website; Proctor and Gamble's "Tribute to Legendary Scientist James Carey Letton," in Winning Moments of Truth: the 2013-2014 Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report (search 'Letton' through the report to find his tribute); and his obituary at the Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral Home website.
