John Pemberton (physician)

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

John Stith Pemberton (July 8, 1831 – August 16, 1888) was an American pharmacist, and is best known for being the inventor of Coca-Cola.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Pemberton was born on July 8, 1831, in Knoxville, Georgia, and spent his childhood in Rome, Georgia. He entered the Reform Medical College of Georgia in Macon, Georgia, and in 1850, at the age of nineteen, he was licensed to practice pharmacy.

Career[edit | edit source]

After his graduation, Pemberton served in the Third Georgia Cavalry Battalion during the American Civil War. After the war, he decided to cease his medical practice and focus on his work in pharmacy. In the early 1860s, he moved to Atlanta, where he began work on patent medicines.

Pemberton is best known for the creation of the soft drink Coca-Cola, which he developed in response to the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in Atlanta in 1886. He intended it as a cure for a variety of ailments, including morphine addiction, indigestion, neurasthenia, and impotence.

Death and legacy[edit | edit source]

Pemberton died from stomach cancer in August 1888 at the age of 57. His legacy lives on through the continued worldwide popularity of his Coca-Cola beverage.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


‎ ‎


Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD