author
Harvey Washington Wiley
1844–1930
A chemist and public-health reformer, he became one of the strongest voices behind safer food and drug laws in the United States. His work helped turn consumer protection into a national cause at the start of the 20th century.
4 Audiobooks
Principles and practice of agricultural analysis. Volume 2 (of 3), Fertilizers
by Harvey Washington Wiley
Foods and Their Adulteration Origin, Manufacture, and Composition of Food Products; Description of Common Adulterations, Food Standards, and National Food Laws and Regulations
by Harvey Washington Wiley
Principles and practice of agricultural analysis. Volume 1 (of 3), Soils
by Harvey Washington Wiley
Principles and practice of agricultural analysis. Volume 3 (of 3), Agricultural products
by Harvey Washington Wiley
About the author
Born in Indiana in 1844, Harvey Washington Wiley trained as a physician and chemist and went on to build a career in agricultural and food chemistry. He taught at Purdue University and later joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he became chief of the Bureau of Chemistry, the agency that would eventually lead to the modern FDA.
Wiley is best remembered for pushing hard for federal action against adulterated and mislabeled foods and medicines. He became widely known for the "Poison Squad" experiments, in which volunteers ate foods containing common preservatives so their effects could be studied in a controlled way. His campaigning and scientific work helped clear the path for the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
After leaving government service, he continued his consumer advocacy through Good Housekeeping. He is often called the "father of the FDA," not because he founded it exactly as it exists today, but because his persistence made stronger national food and drug protections possible.