author
George B. Griffenhagen
A pharmacist, historian, and collector, he devoted decades to preserving the stories of medicine and pharmacy in America. His books and exhibits helped turn specialized history into something vivid, visual, and easy to explore.
2 Audiobooks
Old English Patent Medicines in America
by George B. Griffenhagen, James Harvey Young
Drug Supplies in the American Revolution
by George B. Griffenhagen
About the author
Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1924, he served in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers during World War II before earning pharmacy degrees from the University of Southern California. He went on to build a career that blended science, public education, and historical research.
George B. Griffenhagen became especially known for his work in the history of pharmacy, including books on patent medicines, drug containers, and pharmacy museums. He also served the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy in leadership roles and was honored late in life with the Robert P. Fischelis Award for his long contribution to the field.
Beyond his writing, he was remembered as an energetic advocate for preserving pharmacy history through collections, exhibitions, and scholarship. He died in 2019, leaving behind a body of work valued by pharmacists, historians, and readers interested in how everyday medicines shaped American life.