William J. Mullen (1805-1882)

Recto

Name/Title

William J. Mullen (1805-1882)

Entry/Object ID

100.32

Acquisition

Notes

Source: in "our Columns" (WMCH newsletter), v. 2, issue 7, February 3, 1950, this portrait was ON LOAN from Mullen's family member, Mrs. Edith Kite of Germantown, no evidence of donation, though it has been here ever since

Made/Created

Artist

Edward Dalton Marchant

Date made

1875

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall dimensions

Height

39-1/2 in

Width

34 in

Depth

3 in

Dimension Notes

Framed

Dimension Description

Canvas dimensions

Height

29-1/2 in

Width

24-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Unframed

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

William J. Mullen, founder and first president of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania was a Philadelphia philanthropist and businessman, a champion of women who wished to become physicians. At a time when no Philadelphia medical college would admit women, he believed they should have a medical college of their own, inferior to none. Because of his zeal and financial support, Mr. Mullen’s dream and that of many young women was realized on March 11, 1850, when the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania was incorporated. Between 1850 and 1895, eighteen other medical schools for women came into existence in the United States. By 1910, only the College, which had changed its name to the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, still survived. “Woman’s Med” as it has affectionately been called, was the first medical school in the world for women, and the longest lasting.