John Stith Pemberton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Pemberton
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Pemberton, before 1888
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| Born | July 8, 1831 Knoxville, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | August 16, 1888 (aged 57) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Resting place | Old City Cemetery |
| Education | Reform Medical College of Georgia |
| Occupation | Pharmacist |
| Known for | Inventor of Coca-Cola |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Eliza Clifford Lewis |
| Children | Charles Nay Pemberton |
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Branch
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Confederate States Army |
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Service years
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1861–1865 |
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Rank
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Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Third Cavalry Battalion of the Georgia State Guard |
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Conflicts
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American Civil War
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John Stith Pemberton (born July 8, 1831 – died August 16, 1888) was an American pharmacist and chemist. He was also an officer in the Confederate States Army. Pemberton is most famous for inventing Coca-Cola.
On May 8, 1886, he created an early version of the popular drink. He later sold the rights to Asa Griggs Candler for about $2,300. This amount would be worth over $79,900 today. Pemberton passed away shortly after in 1888.
During a battle in April 1865, Pemberton was injured. To help with his ongoing discomfort, he looked for different ways to ease his pain. This search led him to experiment with various ingredients. These experiments eventually resulted in the recipe for Coca-Cola.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pemberton was born on July 8, 1831, in Knoxville, Georgia. He spent most of his childhood years in Rome, Georgia. His parents were James C. Pemberton and Martha L. Gant.
In 1850, at age nineteen, Pemberton earned his medical degree. He studied at the Reform Medical College of Georgia in Macon, Georgia. His greatest skill was chemistry. After working briefly as a doctor and surgeon, Pemberton opened his own drug store in Columbus.
During the American Civil War, Pemberton served as a soldier. He was part of the Georgia State Guard, which was a unit of the Confederate Army. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Family Life
Pemberton married Ann Eliza Clifford Lewis, who was known as "Cliff." She was from Columbus, Georgia. They were married in Columbus in 1853. Their only child, Charles Nay Pemberton, was born in 1854.
The family lived in a beautiful Victorian cottage in Columbus. This home, called the Pemberton House, is now a historic landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Creating Coca-Cola
In April 1865, Pemberton was injured during the Battle of Columbus. He needed something to help with his pain.
In 1866, Pemberton began looking for new ways to relieve discomfort. He experimented with different plant-based remedies. One of his first ideas was a syrup made from the buttonbush plant. Later, he tried using extracts from the coca plant and kola nut. This led to a drink he called "Pemberton's French Wine Coca."
Historians say Pemberton's famous soda was first made in Columbus, Georgia. It was then brought to Atlanta. At that time, many people were looking for remedies for common health issues like tiredness or stress. Pemberton advertised his drink as a special tonic. He said it was good for people who felt worn out or had stressful jobs.
In 1886, new laws against alcohol were passed in Atlanta and Fulton County. This meant Pemberton had to create a non-alcoholic version of his French Wine Coca. He worked with Willis E. Venable, a drugstore owner in Atlanta. Together, they tested and perfected the new recipe.
From Medicine to Drink
By chance, Pemberton mixed his syrup with carbonated water. He liked the taste and decided to sell it as a refreshing fountain drink, not just a medicine. His business partner, Frank Mason Robinson, suggested the name "Coca-Cola." He liked the way the words sounded together. The name came from two of the original ingredients. Later, The Coca-Cola Company explained that the name was chosen for its sound and imagination.
Robinson also designed the famous Spencerian script logo for the bottles and advertisements. Pemberton claimed his product was a "valuable brain tonic." He said it could cure headaches, relieve exhaustion, and calm nerves. He marketed it as "delicious, refreshing, pure joy, exhilarating," and "invigorating."
Selling the Formula
Soon after Coca-Cola began, Pemberton became very ill and faced financial difficulties. He started selling parts of his formula's rights to business partners in Atlanta. He believed his drink would become very popular one day. He tried to keep some ownership for his son. However, his son needed money. So, in 1888, Pemberton and his son sold the rest of the patent to Asa Griggs Candler, another pharmacist, for $300. This amount would be worth about $10,230 today.
Later Years and Legacy
John Pemberton passed away from stomach cancer on August 16, 1888, at 57 years old. He was not wealthy at the time of his death. His body was returned to Columbus, Georgia, where he was buried in Linwood Cemetery. His grave marker shows symbols of his service in the Confederate Army and his membership as a Freemason.
His son, Charles, continued to sell his father's formula for a few years. Charles Pemberton died six years later.
See also
In Spanish: John Stith Pemberton para niños
