From Pub to Pharmacy: The Remarkable Journey of Bridport’s Giles Roberts and His Ointment

In the heart of Bridport, a remarkable tale of innovation and entrepreneurship emerges from the 18th century, revolving around a local chemist and unlicensed physician, Giles Roberts. Born on April 21, 1766, at the Ship Inn, now known as the Bridport Arms, Roberts once helped his family run a pub but soon carved out a niche for himself in the world of medicine, despite lacking formal qualifications. His journey into the medical field began in 1788 when he obtained a license allowing him to draw blood, extract teeth, and cauterize wounds. This audacious step showcased Roberts' determination to practice medicine, and his reputation rapidly grew among the townsfolk. By 1794, he had garnered enough trust from his patients to raise funds for education in London, where he studied at Guys and St Thomas's Hospitals. Upon his return, he held certificates to practice as a surgeon, physician, and apothecary, silencing critics who doubted his expertise. Roberts established a laboratory in Bridport that became a hub for scientific lectures and experiments. His most significant achievement came in 1798 when he launched his patent ointment, the 'Poor Man's Friend'. This product was marketed with a zest that would make modern advertising agencies envious. Roberts claimed it could cure a slew of ailments—from ulcerated legs and burns to sore eyes and cancerous humours—all while promising miraculous results even for long-standing conditions. The ointment’s secret recipe, preserved in Bridport Museum, reveals its unorthodox ingredients. Comprising pig fat, beeswax, and small amounts of lead, bismuth, and zinc oxide, it was tinted with red coloring and scented with rose and lavender oil. While modern pharmacists acknowledge that the ointment could provide some relief for skin issues, its toxic components such as lead and mercury would render it unsuitable for sale today. Nevertheless, the antiseptic properties of the zinc oxide and oils suggest that Roberts was onto something, albeit with a hazardous formula. The name 'Poor Man's Friend' itself was a stroke of genius, resonating deeply with working-class families who swore by the ointment’s efficacy for over a century. It became a staple in households, and emigrants took it with them to new lands, where remnants of its presence are still discovered in old jars across Australia, South Africa, and Canada. Following Roberts' death in 1834, his pharmacy business was handed down to his apprentices, Beach and Barnicott, who continued to manufacture the beloved ointment until 1903. Edgar Beach produced it until 1946, and it remained in production by Beach & Co until 1965. The legacy of the 'Poor Man's Friend' endures, as requests for the ointment still trickle in from around the globe. Today, Roberts is fondly remembered in Bridport, not only for his contributions to medicine but also as the creator of a product that left an indelible mark on the community. His story is chronicled in the publication "Quirky Bridport," available at the Bridport Museum, ensuring that the tale of this pioneering chemist and his remarkable ointment lives on.