John Pemberton

John Pemberton

American pharmacist, inventor of Coca-Cola (1831–1888)

John Stith Pemberton (July 8, 1831 – August 16, 1888) was an American pharmacist, chemist, and Confederate States Army officer who is best known as the inventor of Coca-Cola. On May 8, 1886, he developed an early version of a beverage that would later become Coca-Cola, but sold the rights to Asa Griggs Candler for roughly $2300 (equivalent to $82,417 in 2025) shortly before his death in 1888.2

From Wikipedia’s article on John Pemberton (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jul 8, 1831, died Aug 16, 1888.1

About

Pemberton suffered from a sabre wound sustained in April 1865, during the Battle of Columbus. His efforts to control his chronic pain led to morphine addiction. In an attempt to curb his addiction he began to experiment with various painkillers and toxins. The development of an earlier beverage blending alcohol and cocaine led to the recipe that later was adapted to make Coca-Cola.

From Wikipedia’s article on John Pemberton, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedWesleyan College3

Pemberton was born on July 8, 1831, in Knoxville, Georgia, and spent most of his childhood in Rome, Georgia. His parents were James C. Pemberton and Martha L. Gant.

Pemberton entered the Reform Medical College of Georgia in Macon, Georgia, and in 1850, at the age of nineteen, he earned his medical degree. His main talent was chemistry. After initially practicing some medicine and surgery, Pemberton opened a drug store in Columbus.

During the American Civil War, Pemberton served in the Third Cavalry Battalion of the Georgia State Guard, which was at that time a component of the Confederate Army. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

From Wikipedia’s article on John Pemberton (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: pharmaceutical industry, businessperson, inventor.5

Known for: Coca-Cola.6 7

Personal life

  • BornJul 8, 1831, Knoxville8
  • DiedAug 16, 1888, Atlanta9
  • CitizenshipUnited States10
  • ResidenceRome, Pemberton House11
  • SpouseAnn Eliza Clifford Lewis 1853 to 188812

Pemberton met Ann Eliza Clifford Lewis of Columbus, Georgia, known to her friends as "Cliff", who had been a student at Wesleyan College in Macon. They were married in Columbus in 1853. Their only child, Charles Nay Pemberton, was born in 1854.

They lived in a Victorian cottage, the Pemberton House in Columbus, a home of historic significance which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 1971.

From Wikipedia’s article on John Pemberton (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources

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