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| A Year of Indiana History - 2016 |
Harvey Washington Wiley (October 18, 1844 – June 16, 1930)
Born in a log cabin to Preston Prichard Wiley and Lucinda Maxwell near Kent, Indiana, Harvey obtained a B.A. from nearby Hanover, College and an M.D. from the Indiana University School of Medicine and a B.S. from Lawrence Scientific School, Harvard. Wiley became a chemist and led a movement for better food labeling. His efforts led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and the later establishment of the Food and Drug Administration. His achievements led to his moniker, the "Father of the Food and Drug Administration."
University Studies and Military
His father ran a subscription school during the winter months when farm work was slack. Sensitive to his son's intelligence, he made sure the boy got a good education. He attended nearby Hanover, University until 1863. At nineteen, he enlisted in the Union Army to fight in the Civil War. He served as a corporal in Company I of the 137th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. When the war concluded, he returned to Hanover, graduating in 1867. He obtained the M. D. from Indiana University Medical School in 1871 and the B. S. from Lawrence Scientific School in 1873.
Early Work
He joined Purdue University and then became Indiana state chemist, a post he served at until 1883. In that year, he received an appointment to head the Division (later Bureau) of Chemistry of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His work as an analytical chemist led him to become concerned about food quality, ingredients and labeling. During this time, food-labeling bills saw introduction into Congress, only to die at the hands of powerful, established lobbies. To make his point, Wiley organized a group of young men that became known as his "Poison Squad." These volunteers tested various food ingredients on themselves and recorded the results. The publicity gained by this caused the major food canners to finally support the reform bill and voluntarily abandon some of the ingredients that they used.
Passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
Congress passed the law on June 30, 1906 and President Theodore Roosevelt signed it into law. The law led to the formation of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Bureau of Foods, Sanitation, and Health for Good Housekeeping
After the law passed, Wiley resigned his government post to take a position with Good Housekeeping Magazine. He became head of the Bureau of Foods, Sanitation, and Health for Good Housekeeping. Using the resources of the magazine, Wiley continued his work of testing food. His work was instrumental in the Good Housekeeping Label of Approval, still a coveted award for any product or food.
Wiley died at his Washington D. C. home and is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
This article excerpted from the author's book:
Exploring Indiana's Historic Sites, Markers & Museums - South East Edition
A Year of Indiana History - 2016
Indiana Places
Abes Beer Garden
Stories of American History
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