Ernest H. Volwiler
Encyclopedia
Ernest Henry Volwiler spent his entire career at Abbott Laboratories
working his way from staff chemist to CEO.
A Hamilton, Ohio
native, Volwiler received a bachelor's degree from Miami University
in Oxford, Ohio
and a Masters degree and Ph. D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois
, working under Prof. Roger Adams
. He was a pioneer in the field of anesthetic pharmacology
, assisting in the development of two breakthrough drugs, Nembutal and Pentothal. In addition to his achievements as a scientist, Volwiler was instrumental in helping Abbott to achieve commercial success for its pharmaceutical products including the commercialization of penicillin
and sulfa drugs during World War II. Abbott Laboratories produced significant financial returns during his tenure as CEO.
Volwiler was an active community leader and philanthropist serving, among others, on the boards of Lake Forest College
and the Phi Kappa Tau
Foundation. He made major philanthropic gifts to his alma maters Miami University and the University of Illinois as well as to Lake Forest College. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
for his work on Pentothal.
Volwiler received honorary degrees from Northwestern University
, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, St. Louis College of Pharmacy
, Southwestern at Memphis, Coe College
, Knox College and Lake Forest College
. Other honors include the American Chemical Society
's Priestley Medal
in 1958 and the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Chemists
in 1960.
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
gives the Volwiler Research Achievement Award in Volwiler's memory.
Volwiler's brother was the noted Ohio University
historian, Albert T. Volwiler.
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is an American-based global, diversified pharmaceuticals and health care products company. It has 90,000 employees and operates in over 130 countries. The company headquarters are in Abbott Park, North Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded by Chicago physician, Dr....
working his way from staff chemist to CEO.
A Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton is a city in Butler County, southwestern Ohio, United States. The population was 62,447 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Butler County. The city is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
native, Volwiler received a bachelor's degree from Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford, Ohio
Oxford, Ohio
Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States, in the southwestern portion of the state. It lies in Oxford Township, originally called the College Township. The population was 21,943 at the 2000 census. This college town was founded as a home for Miami University. Oxford...
and a Masters degree and Ph. D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, working under Prof. Roger Adams
Roger Adams
Roger Adams was an American organic chemist. He is best-known for the eponymous Adams' catalyst, and his work did much to determine the composition of naturally occurring substances such as complex vegetable oils and plant alkaloids...
. He was a pioneer in the field of anesthetic pharmacology
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
, assisting in the development of two breakthrough drugs, Nembutal and Pentothal. In addition to his achievements as a scientist, Volwiler was instrumental in helping Abbott to achieve commercial success for its pharmaceutical products including the commercialization of penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
and sulfa drugs during World War II. Abbott Laboratories produced significant financial returns during his tenure as CEO.
Volwiler was an active community leader and philanthropist serving, among others, on the boards of Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
and the Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
Foundation. He made major philanthropic gifts to his alma maters Miami University and the University of Illinois as well as to Lake Forest College. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
for his work on Pentothal.
Volwiler received honorary degrees from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, St. Louis College of Pharmacy
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
St. Louis College of Pharmacy is a private and independent nonsectarian college in St. Louis, Missouri. It was founded in 1864....
, Southwestern at Memphis, Coe College
Coe College
Coe College is a private, four-year, liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Founded in 1851, the institution is historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . Its current president is James R. Phifer. It is one of the smaller universities to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa...
, Knox College and Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
. Other honors include the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
's Priestley Medal
Priestley Medal
The Priestley Medal is the highest honor conferred by the American Chemical Society and is awarded for distinguished service in the field of chemistry. Established in 1922, the award is named after Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen who immigrated to the United States of America in 1794...
in 1958 and the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Chemists
American Institute of Chemists
The American Institute of Chemists is an organization founded in 1923 whose goal is to advance the chemical profession in the United States. The institute is known for its yearly awards recognizing contributions of individuals in this field of work. The American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal is...
in 1960.
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is the national association of schools and colleges of pharmacy and their faculty.-External links:* *...
gives the Volwiler Research Achievement Award in Volwiler's memory.
Volwiler's brother was the noted Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
historian, Albert T. Volwiler.