Dr. Willoughby Dayton Miller
Willoughby Dayton Miller was a pioneer in the field of dentistry and a resident of Newark, Ohio.
Contents
Early Years
Willoughby Dayton Miller was born in 1853 in the Village of Alexandria, Ohio. His parents were John and Nancy Miller. He was the youngest of nine children. His family lived in Alexandria until Miller was the age of 12, at which time they moved to Newark, OH.
Education and Travels Abroad
Miller attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 1875, receiving an A.B. with distinction. Miller wanted to pursue the study of mining engineering, so he traveled to Scotland to attend the University of Edinburgh. He attended the university for a time, supported by scholarship funds saved by his older sister. However, when the bank the money was deposited in failed he was left without financial support in Scotland. Miller left Edinburgh and traveled to Germany, finding work teaching English and continued his studies at the University of Berlin.
Marriage and Pursuit of Dentistry
While still living in Berlin, Miller found employment at the U.S. Embassy where he met Caroline Abbott. Miller wished to marry Caroline, however, her father Frank Abbott did not approve of Miller’s pursuits in engineering. Abbott (a prominent dentist), told Miller if he acquired a dental degree and set up a practice in Germany he would agree to the marriage. Miller returned to the United States and earned a dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1879. He then returned to Germany to marry Caroline. Miller joined his father-in-law’s practice, using his previously acquired knowledge in physical-science as part of his research techniques. In 1889, he published a paper titled “The Micro-organisms of the Human Mouth.” This paper would become the foundation for cavity treatment and prevention of tooth decay for future researchers.
Late Career and Death
In 1907 Miller was offered the position as dean of the Michigan dental school. He accepted and his family moved to the United States. Regrettably, while visiting relatives in Alexandria, he developed appendicitis and died of a bacterial infection.
L.K.
