Some Oxford apothecaries before 1860
All the people below were matriculated as apothecaries by the University (except for John Eykyn, who was apprenticed to a matriculated apothecary). They were matriculated under various titles: Pharmacopola, Apothecary, Alchymista, Druggist, Chemist, and Chemicus.
Some of the apothecaries listed below also styled themselves “surgeon”; and conversely, some of the privileged surgeons also acted as apothecaries.
- Edmund Adams
Matriculated as “Pharma” on 12 April 1700. Son of Thomas Adams of Oxford, who is probably the one below - Thomas Adams
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 14 December 1671. Probably son of Edmund Adams above - Edward Bailey
Listed as an Oxford “Druggist” in the Universal Business Directory for 1794/5 and Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 (High Street) - John Banister
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 5 April 1692 - John Banister (c.1666–c.1702)
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 26 November 1686, aged 22. Son of Thomas Banister of Bray, Berkshire (who was probably the first Thomas below); and father of the second Thomas below. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 20 April 1703 - Thomas Banister
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 1 November 1654. Probably the father of John Banister, above - Thomas Banister (died c.1691)
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 14 September 1666. Son of John Banister above - Robert Barjer
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 5 May 1800 - Richard Bradgate
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 15 January 1729 - T. & J. Brazier
Listed as Chemists & Druggists at 45 Queen Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839 - Daniel Bennet
Matriculated as “Alchymista” on 16 February 1771. Listed as a “Druggist” in Bailey’s Directory for 1783 and the Universal Business Directory of 1794/5 - James Bowerman
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1830 - Henry Brown
Listed as Chymist & Druggist at 101 High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 and Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - John Bull
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 24 August 1784 - John Bull
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 4 November 1796 - William Bussey
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 - John Chapman
Listed as Chemist & Druggist at 3 St Aldate’s Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839; at St Aldate’s Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842; and at 4 St Aldate’s Street in Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Henry Clarson
Listed as an Oxford “Druggist” in Cornmarket in the Universal Business Directory for 1794/5 - Thomas Tennant Coar (d.1859)
- William Complin
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 2 April 1726. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 6 February 1730 - Philip Court
Matriculated as “Alchymister” [sic] on 5 February 1785 - Thomas George Cousins
Listed as Chymist & Druggist at 21 Magdalen Street and 1 Beaumont Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 and Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - William Cronin
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 18 February 1773 - John Cross (1627–1698)
Described as “Pharmacopola” on inscription in St Mary-the-Virgin Church. - Thomas Curtis
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 24 July 1732 - Henry Dochen
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 4 June 1612 - Francis Egleton
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on26 May 1677 - William Egleton
Brother of William: Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 31 Ocober 1690 - Price James Evans
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 20 June 1802 - John Eykyn
Son of London merchant of same name, apprenticed to Daniel Bennett (above) in January 1800. He and his wife Mary baptised their daughter Elizabeth at St Martin’s Church in December 1815. Listed in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 and for 1830 as a Chemist and Druggist in St Aldate’s. - James Josiah Faulkner
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in St Thomas’s in Pigot’s Directory for 1830 and in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 - John Fowle
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 20 April 1771 - John Francklin
Matriculated as “Pharma. De Univ. Oxon” on 13 May 1698 - John Francklin
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 12 February 1731/2 - William Freeman
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 26 June 1624, aged 30 Son of Thomas Freeman of Battisford, Glos - William Frogley
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 9 December 1723 - John Fulke
Apothecary who provided pills prescribed by Richard Lower to Anthony Wood (I:418) and dressed his legs with “plaisters of salve” - John Gardener
Listed as Chymist & Druggist at 49 High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 - Francis Gooddiar
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on14 September 1698 - Edward Hagley
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 16 February 1814 - John Harris (1644–1672)
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 14 September 1666, aged 22. Son of John Harris senior (a tailor who was Mayor of Oxford in 1663) - William Harrison
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 16 March 1724 - Charles Hinde
Matriculated as “An apothecary” on 19 January 1683/14 - Harry Hitchcock
Listed as Chemist & Druggist at 121 High Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839 and Pigot’s Directory for 1842 - Matthew Houghton (1788–1856) and his son Thomas Houghton (1812–1887)
- Henry Hulme
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 25 October 1824 - James Hume
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 1 March 1734/5. Partner of Stevens Died at his house in Headington on 2 October 1766; Will proved in Chancellor’s Court in 1767
(see plaque and diamond tile below) - James Hunt
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 - John Ireland (1745–1839)
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 25 February 1772 - Joseph Ives, son of William Ives below
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 20 February 1721/2 - William Ives (d.1738), father of Joseph Ives above
- William Jackson
Apothecary of St Mary-the-Virgin parish whose daughter married Francis Greneway (Mayor of Oxford 1670/1) and whose son Samuel Jackson became an Oxford physician. Has a memorial set up by his son in St Mary-the-Virgin Church. His widow Anne’s will was proved in Chancellor’s Court on 9 May 1664 - Thomas Jackson
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 21 July 1671 - Joseph Johnson
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 - Richard T. Jones
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 and 1830; at 56 High Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839; at 55 High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842; and 71 High Street in Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Henry Kenner
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 19 March 1693/4 - Edward Rogers Kett (c.1799–1883)
- Henry Lasher (d.1752)
- Thomas Leaver
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 26 February 1714/15 - William Levins (1516–1601)
Apprentice of Nicholas Todd below. Mayor of Oxford five times betwen 1572 and 1601 - Martin Lipyate (d.1666)
Inscription in St Mary-the-Virgin says that he practised “pharmacopoeia” - Henry Loder
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 8 February 1759 - Robert Loder
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 1 October 1760 - William Luff
Listed as Chemist & Druggist at 24 Cornmarket in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839, Pigot’s Directory for 1842, and Slatter’s Directory for 1850. Biography on page about his grave - Thomas Macock
Apothecary of St Mary-the-Virgin parish. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 22 September 1752 - Samuel Malbon
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 28 September 1751 - Joseph Maysey
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 19 April 1750 - Charles Miller
Listed as Chemist & Druggist at 9 Queen Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839,Pigot’s Directory for 1842 and 1842, and Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Peter Mitchell
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 8 October 1772 - David Morphew
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1830 - John Parker
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 27 September 1758 - Thomas Pasco
Matriculated as “Alchymista” on 1 July 1777. Listed as an Oxford “Druggist” in the Universal Business Directory for 1794/5 - Henry Passand (1756–1848)
- William Potter (died c.1677)
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 28 November 1665, aged 35. Son of William Potter of Oxford city. Home at 57 Cornmarket in St Martin’s parish. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 11 May 1677 - Joseph Powell
Matriculated as “Druggist” on 6 March 1771 - William Powell (died c.1722)
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 7 October 1714. Probably son of Martin Powell, a painter in Oxford, and brother of another Martin Powell who was also an apothecary - Francis & Henry Rackham
Listed as Chymists & Druggists at 45 Queen Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 and Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Richard Rawlins
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 12 June 1772, but listed as a Surgeon in Bailey’s Directory for 1783. Listed as an apothecary in the Universal Business Directory of 1794/5, where he appears to be a partner of Wootten below - Henry Reeks
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 6 June 1706 - Edward Rogers
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 18 April 1684 - William Rusher
Rusher was the junior partner of Henry Passand at 48 High Street by1815. This partnership was dissolved at Passand's retirement on 26 May 1821, and Rusher continued to run the surgery at those premises on his own as an apothecary and accoucheur, necessitating his matriculation at the University of Oxford on 26 June 1821 as “Apothecarius et parturientibus opem ferrens” (apothecary and someone who aids women in labour). He was listed as a surgeon and apothecary at 48 High Street in directories from 1823. He died here at the age of 70 on 24 March 1862. - Thomas Sadler
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 - Edward Charles Sandell
Matriculated as “apothecary” on 21 May 1778 and listed as such in the Universal Business Directory of 1794/5. Listed as a surgeon in Broad Street in Pigot’s Directory of 1823/4 and 1830. - William Shenton (died c.1670)
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 11 December 1640, aged 23. Of St Martin’s parish. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 24 August 1696 - Edward Stickland (died c.1710)
Matriculated as Apothecary on 3 April 1688, aged 21 Son of E. Stickland of Oxford - Joseph Stockley
Stockley was described as a university apothecary (deceased) when his son William was apprenticed to a joiner in 1727. - James Spiers
Matriculated as “Chemicus et pharmacopola” on 14 June 1832 - William Sutton
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in Cornmarket in Pigot’s Directory for 1830 and at 47 Cornmarket Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 - Edward Sylvester
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 16 April 1822. Listed as as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in St Mary Magdalen parish (in partnership with Thurland below) in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 and 1830 - John Symonds
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 25 April 1805 but listed as Surgeon in Pigot’s Directory of 1830. - William Taylor (1622–1699)
- Frederick Telfer
Listed as Chemist & Druggist in Cornmarket in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839; at 14 Cornmarket Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842; and at 11 Cornmarket Street in Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Arthur Tillyard
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 21 July 1696 - Edward Thurland
Matriculated as “Chemicus” on 16 July 1821. Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in St Mary Magdalen parish (in partnership with Sylvester above) in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 and 1830. Listed on his own at 10 Magdalen Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 and at 1 Magdalen Street in Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Arthur Tillyard (1615–1693)
Apothecary mentioned a number of times by Anthony Wood, with his complete pedigree (I:202–3) - Nicholas Todd
Took on William Levins above as his apprentice - Stephen Toone (c.1633–1681)
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 14 September 1666, aged 30. Son of Thurstan Toone of Collinbrough, Northants. Married Susanna. Monument in St Mary-the-Virgin Church. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 1 October 1681 - William Treacher
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 - William Walsh
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in Queen Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4 and 1830, and at 41 Queen Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1842 and Slatter’s Directory for 1850 - Thomas Ward & Co.
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in Cornmarket in Pigot’s Directory for 1830 - John Waters
Listed as Chemist & Druggist at 21 Magdalen Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839 - Charles Webb
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 2 April 1818, but listed as a surgeon of St Mary Magdalen parish in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4, with Beaumont Street specified in 1830. By 1839 he was a surgeon in St Giles Street - Stephen Wentworth
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 14 July 1808, but listed as a Surgeon and Apothecary in Pigot’s Directory for 1823/4. - James West
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 24 February 1801 - Theophilus Wharton (d. 1803)
- Nathaniel Whateley (1655–1704)
- Christopher White (died c.1696)
Matriculated as “Chemist” on 21 April 1676, aged 25. Matriculated again on 3 September 1695 - John White
Matriculated as “Apothecary” on 20 February 1698/9 - Thomas White
Apothecary of St Mary-the-Virgin parish. Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 2 December 1619 - John Williams (d. 1602)
- John Woodward
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 24 April 1668. Son of Thomas Woodward of Woodstock - John Clark Wootten (1768–1798)
Matriculated as “Pharmacopola” on 16 August 1790. Appears to be listed as a partner of the chemist Richard Rawlins above in the Universal Business Directory of 1794/5. Uncle of the physician Dr John Wootten - John Yate
Will proved in Chancellor’s Court on 21 September 1704 - Frederick Young
Listed as an Oxford “Chemist & Druggist” in the High Street in Pigot’s Directory for 1830, and at 79 High Street in Robson’s Commercial Directory for 1839 and Pigot’s Directory for 1842.
Memorials to apothecaries in the University Church of St Mary-the-Virgin
Above: A plaque on the wall reads: “Near this Place lie the Remains of JAMES HUME, Apothecary who died Dec: 3: 1766. Age 56 Years”, while a diamond tile on the floor reads “JAMES HUME Apothecary was here buried Dec 7 1760”.
Above: Luff’s chemist shop at 24 Cornmarket survived until the 1890s
See T. D. Whittet, “Some Oxford apothecaries”,Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Volume 72 (December 1979)