Charles M. Olcott
Died1853
OccupationApothecary
Known forfounding the McKesson Corporation

Charles M. Olcott (died 1853) was an American pharmacist. He is noted for co-founding the McKesson Corporation, the largest pharmaceutical distributor in North America today.[1]

Biography

Olcott was trained as an apothecary, which was the precursor of the modern pharmacist profession.[2] After completing his education, he started working for a chemist and was also believed to have provided medical advice and even occasional surgery and midwifery.[2] Several years later, he was employed as a clerk for Warner, Prall, & Ray, the center of Jobbing Drug business in New York.[3] Olcott then started his own apothecary business, which turned into a successful semi-jobbing business located at the corner Madison and Catherine streets.

Together with John McKesson, Olcott founded Olcott & McKesson in 1833.[4] Its headquarters was set up at 145 Maiden Lane, the center of Manhattan's wholesale district.[2] It promoted itself as a business engaged in the import of medicine. The company was established after the partners bought out the stock and lease of a wholesaler who was about to retire.[2] In the beginning, the company was involved in the wholesale of botanical-based drugs, including herbs and vegetable extracts.[5] Later, the company also started providing therapeutic drugs and chemicals such as acids, elixirs, tinctures, and essential oils.[6][7]

Olcott died in 1853.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Top Employers in Healthcare". Hispanic Engineer & IT. 26 (2): 39. 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hammergren, John; Harkins, Phil (2008). Skin in the Game: How Putting Yourself First Today Will Revolutionize Health Care Tomorrow. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-470-26278-8.
  3. ↑ Stone, William Leete (1868). History of New York City: From the Discovery to the Present Day. New York: E. Cleave.
  4. 1 2 Flannery, Michael A. (2017). Civil War Pharmacy: A History. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-8093-3592-3.
  5. ↑ Turner, Tyya N. (2004). Vault Guide to the Top Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Employers. New York, NY: Vault Inc. p. 141. ISBN 1-58131-319-5.
  6. ↑ Mallin, Christine (2018). Corporate Governance (6th ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-0-19-253873-4.
  7. ↑ "Oil of Amber, Rect. German". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
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