Charles M. Olcott

Charles M. Olcott (died 1853) was an American pharmacist. He is noted for co-founding the McKesson Corporation, the largest health care company in North America and ninth-largest company in the United States.

Biography Olcott was trained as an apothecary, which was the precursor of the modern pharmacist profession. After completing his education, he started working for a chemist and was also believed to have provided medical advice and even occasional surgery and midwifery. Olcott then started his own apothecary business, which turned into a successful semi-jobbing business located at the corner Madison and Catherine streets.

Together with John McKesson, Olcott founded Olcott & McKesson in 1833. Its headquarters was set up at 145 Maiden Lane, the center of Manhattan's wholesale district. Later, the company also started providing therapeutic drugs and chemicals such as acids, elixirs, tinctures, and essential oils.

Olcott died in 1853.