Person    | Male  Born 28/9/1839  Died 24/11/1900

John Lawson Johnston

Categories: Food & Drink, Industry

Countries: Canada, France, Scotland

Nutrition promoter and food manufacturer. Born at 29 Main Street, Roslin, Midlothian. He took over his uncle's butcher shop and decided to use the large quantity of beef trimmings produced to make his own 'glace de viande' (meat glaze). This sold so well that he opened a second shop and a factory in the Holyrood area. He emigrated to Canada, and in1874 the French army gave him a contract to supply their army with preserved beef products. During this time he developed 'Johnston's Fluid Beef', which was to become 'Bovril'. He returned to Britain in 1880 where he developed the brand. Died on his yacht 'White Ladye' in Cannes harbour.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Lawson Johnston

Commemorated ati

John Lawson Johnston

John Lawson Johnston, 1839 - 190, inventor of Bovril, owned and lived here at...

Read More

Other Subjects

Castle Tavern - EC2

Castle Tavern - EC2

Being at a junction the address has been given as 26 King Street which certainly is more definitive than the Gresham Street address which seems to have fluctuated widely. Pubwiki gives: "in the 184...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Sir Hugh Myddelton

Sir Hugh Myddelton

Goldsmith and entrepreneur. Born Denbigh, Wales sometime 1555-60, younger brother of Sir Thomas Myddelton (c1550-1631) who became Lord Mayor of London. 1576 came to London to be an apprentice golds...

Person, Engineering, Food & Drink, Wales

7 memorials
Lion Brewery

Lion Brewery

The (Red) Lion Brewery, designed by Francis Edwards, stood on the South Bank from 1836. The brewery occupied the site now used by the Royal Festival Hall and its stables, warehouses, etc. were on a...

Building, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Finlays

Finlays

From Finlays we learn that: James Finlay (d. 1790) began his career in Glasgow in the family textile business selling cotton goods. He moved into embroidered muslins and also manufacture. His son K...

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink, Gardens / Agriculture, Africa, Scotland, Sri Lanka

1 memorial
2i's coffee bar

2i's coffee bar

Birthplace of British rock 'n roll and the popular music industry. Mickie Most started as a singing waiter here. Owen Adams provides a huge amount of information.

Place, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Music / songs

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Donald Swann

Donald Swann

Composer, pianist and entertainer. Born Donald Ibrahim Swann at 27 Coleshill Terrace, Llanelli, Wales. His mother was a Muslim Azerbaijani. He is best remembered for his partnership with Michael Fl...

Person, Music / songs, Theatre, Wales

2 memorials
Richard Courtney Balding

Richard Courtney Balding

Born Camberwell. Employed as an insurance company director. Edwin Richard, his father, was MD of United Friendly Insurance Company. A 1938 London Gazette refers to UF at 42 Southwark Bridge Road. H...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
James Bubb

James Bubb

Sculptor. Born as James George Bubb, probably near Strand. Surviving London works: Monument to Pitt the Younger in the Guildhall, pediment of Cumberland Terrace in Regent’s Park and other work ther...

Person, Sculpture

1 memorial