Frederick John Wulling papers

Frederick J. Wulling, degree in pharmacy (1887) College of Pharmacy of the City of New York, LL.B. (1896) and LL.M. (1898) University of Minnesota. Organized and served as professor of pharmacology and dean of the faculty of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota, and nationally known leader in field of pharmacological education.

Frederick J. Wulling was born in New York City on December 24, 1866. After graduating from the New York College of Pharmacy in 1887 at the head of his class, he continued his studies both in the United States and abroad, served as associate editor of the Pharmaceutical Record, and taught various courses at the New York College of Pharmacy, before being appointed as a professor of pharmacodynamics at the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy (1891). While he was there, one of his old professors, Dr. P.W. Bedford recommended him as a candidate to head a new department of pharmacy at the University of Minnesota. In 1892, Wulling became professor of Theory and Practice of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and dean of the faculty. which he headed until his retirement in 1936. Wulling also acted as director of the university medical plant garden from 1911-1936.

The College of Pharmacy was established in part through the efforts of the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association (M.S.Ph.A). When Wulling organized it in 1892, as a part of the Medical Department, it comprised a two-year course, with two more years of practical experience required before a diploma was granted. For the period, these were high standards for a pharmacy school. However, supplies were poor or lacking entirely, salaries were low, space for classrooms and laboratories was inadequate and Wulling was the only instructor.

Wulling was dedicated to the task of building up the College of Pharmacy, and of elevating pharmacy as a profession to an equality with medicine. He constantly raised the college’s requirements both for entrance and for graduation, and elevated standards of pharmaceutical teaching and practice. He also worked intensively with Twin Cities and state pharmacists to gain their support for his policies, not only within the University, but also in licensing requirements for pharmacists in the state. Wulling was a member of, and supported financially, a great number of organizations, from the local YMCA to the International Narcotic Education Association. In accord with his belief that by becoming known himself, he could enhance the prestige of the school, he joined many groups. He was a charter member of the Publicity Club which later became the Minneapolis Civic and Commerce Association and was for many years active in safety work as a member and sometimes chairman of Committees on Public Safety and Accident Prevention, and of the Minneapolis Division of the National Safety Council. He joined several local professional men’s groups, but was often too busy to attend unless he had been asked to speak. While his son, Emerson, was in school, Wulling was active in, and one year served as President of the Bryant School Parent Teachers Association. (1911-1912).

Wulling was instrumental in forming a section on Scientific and Practical Pharmacy in the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association. He was appointed its first chairman and was reappointed annually until after his retirement from the University. He bitterly opposed commercialism and merchandising as proper topics for either teaching or discussion by professional pharmacists. Each year he gave a report on the College of Pharmacy to the Association, and offered his services to the president to assist him in writing his address to the Association. Through these means Wulling was able to keep the level of professionalism among Minnesota pharmacists so high that requests for rasing standards both at the college and state board licensing levels came from the druggists themselves. He was also active in the Northwest Branch of the American Pharmaceutical Association and organized both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Veteran Druggists’ Associations.

He was a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association (A.Ph.A.) before he came to Minnesota, and helped to organize the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties. He was president of the American Pharmaceutical Association in 1916-1917, and of the Conference in 1914-1915. He also served as a Trustee of the United States Pharmaceutical Board (1920-1930). After 44 years, Wulling retired as Dean Emeritus from the University of Minnesota in 1936.

In the early period two types of schools existed -- independent and university connected. There was conflict between the two groups over entrance requirements, course content, and length of course. Eventually, the private colleges which were dependent on student tuition for support, were either forced to close or become a part of another school. New York City College of Pharmacy from which Wulling graduated became part of Columbia University. But for several decades pharmacists grappled with the problem of raising standards without provoking an open breach in ranks. Wulling corresponded with men in both groups, constantly pushing for stiffer requirements, but with a consideration for the problems involved. One of Wulling;' great concerns was to have pharmacists appropriately recognized and utilized by the United States armed forces. As early as December 10, 1897, he wrote Theodore Roosevelt urging commissions for pharmacists in the navy. In 1918, he was chosen by pharmacists to be their chief spokesman at Congressional hearings on the establishment of a pharmaceutical corps.

In his early career, Wulling was a prolific writer, and even in later years, he frequently wrote for pharmacy journals. Most of the articles dealt with current problems and many were controversial. Often the editors were themselves pharmacists, many of them educators, and their letters to him are commentaries on the problem. Wulling was also in correspondence with the officers of the National Association of Retail Druggists and frequently advised them on problems. He was an honorary member of the Chicago Veteran Druggists’ Association and was regularly apprised of their meetings and activities.

Wulling delivered the first Samuel W. Melendy Memorial Lecture on February 17, 1943, and continued to deliver the lecture annually until his death in 1947. Samuel Melendy (1841-1916) was a Minneapolis druggist who had strongly supported Wulling’s work. His wife, Adelle, who died in 1941, left the bulk of her estate to the College for scholarships, the Memorial Lecture, and other college needs.

Wulling received numerous honorary degrees during his 44 years at the university. He wrote many books, mostly on pharmacy, but one was a volume on A Course of Law. During World War I, Wulling's production of a pure digitalis extract for use as a heart stimulant was widely hailed. In 1943, he was named honorary life president of the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association. Other organizations of which he was a member include the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties, the American Pharmaceutical Association, Minnesota Academy of Sciences, and the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts.

Frederick Wulling died on October 21, 1947 at his home in Minneapolis.