James C. Letton

James Carey Letton (June 9, 1933 – March 26, 2013) was an American organic chemist known for his work in pharmaceutical chemistry. He was named the first African American member of P&G's Victor Mills Society. He held a number of patents, including developing the fat substitute Olestra.

Early life and education James Carey Letton was born on June 9, 1933, in Paris, Kentucky, where he was also raised. In 1955, He received his B.S. from Kentucky State University in Chemistry. In 1956, James married his wife Rosaline Stovall. In 1961, he relocated to Chicago, where he worked as a process chemist, specializing in steroids and cholesterol derivatives. In 1970, Letton pursued and earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois. His research, which spanned both medical and chemical fields, earned him the Percy L. Julian Award in 1989, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to pure and applied research in science and engineering. Along with a number of other awards, in 1989, he was also awarded the distinguished alumni citation from the National Association for Equal Opportunities in Education.

Letton died on March 26, 2013, in Springdale, Ohio.