Eli Lilly: A Life, 1885-1977

by James H. Madison

Eli Lilly’s long life extended over a wide range of endeavors in which he made major contributions. Under his active leadership, the pharmaceutical company he joined in 1907 evolved into one of America’s most successful big businesses.Although a hard-working businessman, Lilly eventually acquired diverse interests outside the pharmaceutical industry. During the last three decades of his life Lilly gave away millions of dollars personally and through the Lilly Endowment.Now available in paperback, this first, full-scale biography of Eli Lilly considers his private life, his modest but strong-willed character, his family and friends, his personal disappointments and satisfactions and his deliberate effort, beginning in his forties, to develop what he called “a proper outlook on life.” Based on extensive research in Lilly’s personal and business papers and on interviews with dozens of people who knew him, this is a revealing look at the life of an unusual man.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1989

About the author

James H. Madison is the Thomas and Kathryn Miller Professor of History Emeritus, Indiana University Bloomington. Madison serves on the boards of Indiana Humanities and the Indiana Historical Society and is a member of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission. He began teaching Indiana history in 1976 and has lectured and consulted widely on Indiana topics.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Th this book was so dull that I had to read at least two books in between. The contents were informative and enlightening, but the pros red like history. However, Eli Lilly lived a rather interesting life. He was very active in the running of Eli Lilly. He was very active in his large donations through himself and his company and had many hobbies. Period. Despite this, the book is rather doll..

[Barbara Wellnitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, entertaining recount of Mr. Lilly's life

[Nick Fennig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and detailed biography of Mr. Lilly and his influence through Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, the Episcopal Church, and beyond.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great biography on a man that helped to create the Eli Lilly company that we all know. A conservative man who cared about others as well as his own hometown.

Big pharma seems to get a bad rap, but it really should not be glossed over, as we do so much of these days, that not everyone is out for themselves. In fact, I think Eli Lilly understood the idea that America was falling down economically, spiritually, and individually from the 1960's on and tried to help out...to know avail. He recognized the self loving culture of the hippies, business and especially government to be fruitless and having little to no value in creating what could be the better America.

All-in-all I heartily recommend this book if you enjoy biographies. It's great to learn about other people.