Eli Lilly, one of the world's most valuable pharmaceutical companies by market capitalization, was founded in 1876 by the chemist Colonel Eli Lilly.
Lilly established the company in Indianapolis after serving as a pharmaceutical manufacturer and Union army officer. He wanted medicines to be produced with reliable quality and consistency, an important goal in an era when drug composition could vary substantially between batches.
The company became known for emphasizing scientific research and standardized manufacturing. Over time, Eli Lilly and Company developed medicines in areas including diabetes, psychiatry, oncology, and immunology. Its name refers both to the founder and to the corporation he created.
John Pemberton created Coca-Cola, not Eli Lilly. William Procter co-founded Procter & Gamble, while George Merck belongs to the Merck pharmaceutical family. The founder’s military title, Colonel, is part of his commonly used historical name.