Holloway, Thomas (1800-1883), Dictionary of National Biography

Standard biographical reference entry on Thomas Holloway, the patent-medicine vendor, by George Clement Boase (signed 'G. C. B.', DNB vol. 27, 1891). Source for the dated life-and-business facts used across this bundle: born at Devonport (Plymouth Dock) 22 September 1800; the family grocery and bakery at Penzance; the move to London about 1828 and work as a merchant and foreign commercial agent at 13 Broad Street Buildings by 1836; the connection with Felix Albinolo, proprietor of an ointment and vendor of leeches; the announcement of Holloway's ointment on 15 October 1837; the earliest traceable advertisement in 'The Town' of 16 June 1838 vouched by a testimonial from Herbert Mayo, senior surgeon at the Middlesex Hospital, dated 19 August 1837, and Albinolo's warning of 4 August 1838 that Mayo's letter had been given in connection with Albinolo's ointment; the daily visits to the docks; the rising advertising outlay (5,000l. in 1842, 10,000l. in 1845, 20,000l. in 1851, 30,000l. in 1855, 40,000l. in 1864, 45,000l. in 1882, about 50,000l. per annum at his death); directions translated into many languages including Chinese, Turkish, Armenian and Arabic; the 1850 injunction against his brother Henry; the premises at 244 Strand and later 533 (later 78) New Oxford Street; the profits of about 50,000l. a year; the founding of the Holloway Sanatorium and of the ladies' college at Mount Lee, Egham (land bought 8 May 1876; more than 400,000l. spent, with 300,000l. added in 1883; the college opened by Queen Victoria 30 June 1886 and the sanatorium opened 15 June 1885). Byline confirmed from the article's end attribution.