Harvey Washington Wiley, M.D., (1844-1930) served as the USP Convention President from 1910-1920 and as chief chemist at the Bureau of Chemistry from 1883-1912.
In 1902 Wiley created the "Poison Squad," in which he recruited interns to ingest popular food preservatives of the time. The findings of these experiments were a major factor in the passage of the Pure Food and Drugs Act in 1906. Dr. Wiley continued as Director of the Bureau of Chemistry until his retirement in 1912. Later, he worked in the laboratories of Good Housekeeping and initiated the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval."
Dr. Wiley was the son of an Indiana farmer and received his undergraduate degree from Hanover College and his medical degree from Indiana Medical College. Later, he studied and taught medicine at Northwestern Christian College and Purdue University, and received a degree in science from Harvard University. During his educational endeavors, he paused to serve as a soldier in the Union Army during Lincoln's hundred-day proclamation. At the age 67 Wiley married Anna Kelton Wiley, and they dedicated themselves to fighting for women's rights.
Published Oct 7, 2010
