Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly was an American pharmacist, chemist, and businessman. He is most famous for founding Eli Lilly and Company. This company became one of the largest pharmaceutical corporations in the world. Lilly also helped change how medicines are made and regulated. His work helped ensure that drugs were safer and more consistent for people to use.

Lilly's interest in chemistry began during his teenage years. In 1854, at age 16, he visited a drugstore in Lafayette, Indiana. He watched a pharmacist named Henry Lawrence prepare various pharmaceutical drugs. Lilly completed a four-year apprenticeship with Lawrence to learn the trade. During this time, he learned how to mix chemicals. He also learned how to manage funds and operate a business. After his apprenticeship, he worked for several different druggists in Indiana and Illinois.

During the American Civil War, Lilly served as an officer in the Union Army. He joined the 21st Indiana Infantry Regiment in July 1861. Later, he recruited his own unit called the 18th Independent Battery Indiana Light Artillery. This unit was often called the "Lilly Battery." It consisted of 150 men and six three-inch ordinance rifles. Lilly rose to the rank of colonel during his service. In September 1864, he was captured by Confederate troops. He was held as a prisoner of war in Mississippi until January 1865.

After the war, Lilly faced several difficult challenges. He attempted to run a cotton plantation in Mississippi. However, the business failed because of a drought. During this time, his first wife, Emily, died from a mosquito-borne disease. This loss and the failed plantation led Lilly to return to Indiana. He eventually opened his own drug manufacturing business in Indianapolis in 1876. He started with very little, including about $1,000 in cash and some equipment.

Lilly made several important advances in medicinal drug manufacturing. He pioneered the creation of gelatin capsules to contain medicines. He also developed fruit flavorings to make medicines easier to take. His company was among the first to staff a dedicated research department. He also put quality-assurance measures in place to ensure products were made correctly. These steps helped move the industry toward more scientific methods.

Lilly was a strong advocate for federal regulation of the pharmaceutical industry. He believed that medicines needed strict rules to protect the public. Many of his suggested reforms were enacted into law in 1906. This led to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. Lilly also helped pioneer the concept of prescriptions. He helped establish the practice of giving dangerous or addictive medicines only to people who saw a physician.

Lilly used his success to support many charitable causes. He personally funded a children's hospital in Indianapolis called Eleanor Hospital. Around 1890, he turned the management of his company over to his son, Josiah K. Lilly Sr. This allowed Lilly to focus more on civic advancement and philanthropy. In 1937, his son and grandsons established the Lilly Endowment. This remains one of the largest charitable benefactors in the world today. His company continues to be a major influence in the pharmaceutical field.