John Wheeley Lea (8 May 1791 – 23 March 1874) was an English pharmacist, sauce manufacturer and company co-founder

Biography

Lea was born on a farm in Feckenham, Worcestershire, England and had three brothers and four sisters, he aspired to be a chemist as a young child. In 1823 he partnered with William Henry Perrins, opening a drug store in Worcester, and establishing company

Lea & Perrins Lea & Perrins (L&P) is a United Kingdom-based subsidiary of Kraft Heinz, originating in Worcester, England where it continues to operate. It is best known as the maker of Lea & Perrins brand of Worcestershire sauce, which was first sold in 183 ...

and in 1837 began selling there brand of Worcestershire sauce. Lea was also an

alderman An alderman is a member of a Municipal government, municipal assembly or council in many Jurisdiction, jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council membe ...

and was elected

Mayor of Worcester The Mayor of Worcester is the civic head of Worcester City Council. Every May one of the city Councillors is elected to serve as Mayor for a year. Another is elected as Deputy Mayor. The Mayor chairs meetings of the Full Council, represents the c ...

in 1874 but served only three months in office. He died of acute

dyspepsia Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach, is a condition of impaired digestion. Symptoms may include upper abdominal fullness, heartburn, nausea, belching, or upper abdominal pain. People may also experience feeling full earlier t ...

(a fatal stomach disorder where the stomach cannot function properly) on 23 March 1874 at Stanfield House, Upper Wick, Worcestershire, and was buried in the family tomb at St Peter's,

Powick Powick is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District, Malvern Hills district of Worcestershire, England, located two miles south of the city of Worcester, England, Worcester and four miles north of Great Malvern. The parish include ...

Notes

1791 births 1874 deaths English chemists Mayors of places in Worcestershire 19th-century English people People from Redditch (district) 19th-century British businesspeople Burials in Worcestershire {{UK-business-bio-stub