Lilly, Josiah Kirby (1861–1948)

US pharmaceutical manufacturer. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1882 and entered his father's firm, Eli Lilly and Company. He was director of the laboratories (1882–98), president of the company (1898–1932), and chairman of the board (1932–48). The company played a major role in the advances of chemotherapy in the early 20th century. During World War I the firm grew belladonna and stramonium plants used to make much-needed medicines. He collaborated with Frederick Banting to market the first commercially produced insulin in the USA (1923). He and his sons set up the Lilly Endowment, Inc in 1937 to channel funds to charitable, educational, and religious causes. Lilly was born in Greencastle, Indiana.