James Lofthouse (pharmacist)
James Lofthouse | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Lofthouse 17 May 1841 |
| Died | 21 May 1906 (aged 65) |
Resting place | Fleetwood Cemetery |
| Education | Lancaster Royal Grammar School |
| Occupations | Pharmacist, Chemist |
| Known for | Founding Fisherman's Friend |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Nowell (m. 1877) |
| Honours | Queen's Award for Export Achievement |
James Lofthouse (17 May 1841 – 21 May 1906) was a British pharmacist and chemist. He is known for founding Fisherman's Friend, a brand of menthol lozenges.
Early life
James Lofthouse was born on 17 May 1841 in Lancaster, Lancashire, to Edward Lofthouse and Elizabeth Parker.[1] He attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School.[2] Lofthouse pursued a career in pharmacy, qualifying as a chemist and druggist.
Career
By 1865 Lofthouse had established a chemist at 103 Lord Street in Fleetwood. He began to encounter local fishermen suffering from bad coughs and croaking voices caused by the extreme cold and salty air out at sea.[3] In response, he developed a liquid in 1865 using a blend of menthol, eucalyptus and liquorice.[4][5] It was initially dispensed in small glass bottles that the fishermen began to call their friends.[6]
However, these glass bottles frequently broke on the high seas. Lofthouse decided to thicken the tincture into a paste and dry it to create small, portable lozenges. These lozenges were easier to transport and eventually became the standard form of the product.[7] While the remedy remained a local success for nearly a century, sold at his Lofthouse Chemist shop, it would eventually become the Lofthouse of Fleetwood company.[8][9]
Personal life
Lofthouse married Elizabeth Nowell on 26 March 1877 in St Paul’s Church, Burnley.[10][11] He also had several children. His sons, Alan Lofthouse and James Lofthouse Jr, both followed their father into pharmacy, and Alan eventually took over the management of the family business. Their daughter Florence also assisted in the shop.[12][13]
Death
Lofthouse died on 21 May 1906 at the age of 65, in Fleetwood. He was buried in the older section of Fleetwood Cemetery.[14][1]
References
- 1 2 "James Lofthouse grave (17th May 1841 to 21st May 1906)". www.johnhalley.uk. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Mayor's link with ... Lofthouse's father—Mr. James Lofthouse". British Newspaper Archive. 1950-01-06. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Fisherman's Friend | Heritage". fishermansfriend.com. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Lofthouses' extra strong marriage". 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ MuseumAdmin (2019-11-08). "Fisherman's Friend exhibition at Fleetwood Museum". Fleetwood Museum. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Friends". Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "The lozenge which took over the world". Blackpool Gazette. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ Fenton, Amy (2024-02-03). "How a fisherman's croaky throat sparked a multi-million pound business". Lancs Live. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "The history – Fisherman's Friend New Zealand". Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project". www.lan-opc.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Grewelthorpe Family History - Lofthouse Family | Grewelthorpe". www.grewelthorpe.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Doreen Lofthouse: Businesswoman who turned Fisherman's Friend into a global brand". The Independent. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ Hagerty, James R. (2021-04-09). "English Pharmacy Worker Made Fisherman's Friend a Global Hit". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Fleetwood Cemetery". deceasedonlineblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2026-04-23.