[1] He was named after an orator and family friend William G. Read Jr.[1] A great-great aunt on his father's side, Catharine Mullan, was one of the first to join Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Sisters of Charity.

[1][4] As a child, Mullan completed his primary education at the parochial school at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Baltimore.

[3] As president, he worked to ensure rigorous academic standards and took interest in the personal development of his students.

[1] Most notably, he became involved in the controversy of President of Harvard University Charles W. Elliot's criticism of Boston College and Catholic education in general.

[1][2] Mullan protested Harvard Law School's removal of Boston College from its list of acceptable institutions for admission as a regular student, as well as Elliot's comments disparaging Jesuit universities.

[5][9] In 1907, Mullan became President of Loyola College in Maryland, but resigned because of ill health six months into his term.

[11] The $1,000 Read Mullan Scholarship was funded through collections by the Sodality of St. Ignatius Church in Baltimore, under the direction of Rev.