# Burroughs Wellcome & Company

> company

**Wikidata**: [Q1016927](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1016927)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/burroughs-wellcome-company

## Summary
Burroughs Wellcome & Company is a business founded in 1880 in London by Henry Solomon Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs. Headquartered in New York City, the company operated as a commercial, industrial, or professional organization and included the Wellcome Research Laboratories as a key component. The entity was eventually replaced by Glaxo Wellcome in 1995 and is historically noted for artifacts preserved in museums such as the Dutch Resistance Museum.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Founded in 1880 in London.
- **Founders:** Henry Solomon Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs.
- **Headquarters:** New York City, United States.
- **Status:** Replaced by Glaxo Wellcome in 1995.
- **Classification:** An instance of a business (organization, economic entity, juridical person).
- **Key Component:** Wellcome Research Laboratories.
- **Artifacts:** Holds works in the collection of the Dutch Resistance Museum and Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein'.
- **Notable Artifact:** A box of insulin (originally six bottles, now five) dropped on April 4, 1945, near Loosdrecht, held by the Dutch Resistance Museum.
- **Identifiers:**
  - ISNI: 0000000100804998
  - VIAF ID: 150029291
  - Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/1z3t20rfy
  - Library of Congress Authority ID: n80146293
  - Alexander Turnbull Library ID: 86895
  - Museum of Modern Art Artist ID: 63282
  - Yale Lux ID: group/569a0c00-a286-4701-9e6d-ec411edc2cc0
  - National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007578625205171
  - Québec Cultural Heritage Directory People ID: 22452
  - Medvik IDs: xx0112545, xx0112544
  - CANTIC ID: 981058522865906706
  - University of Barcelona Authority ID: 981058522865906706
- **Digital Presence:** Sitelinks in 2 languages (commons, de); Commons category: Burroughs Wellcome & Co.
- **WikiProjects:** Listed on the focus list of Wikiproject Oorlogsbronnen.

## FAQs

**Who founded Burroughs Wellcome & Company and when?**
The company was founded in 1880 in London by Henry Solomon Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs.

**Where was the company headquartered?**
While founded in London, the company's headquarters were located in New York City, United States.

**What happened to the company in 1995?**
Burroughs Wellcome & Company was replaced by Glaxo Wellcome in 1995.

**What specific artifacts are associated with the company in museums?**
The company is associated with a box of insulin dropped on April 4, 1945, near Loosdrecht, held by the Dutch Resistance Museum, as well as items in the collection of the Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein'.

**What was the structure of the business?**
The business was an organization undertaking commercial, industrial, or professional activity and included Wellcome Research Laboratories as a part.

## Why It Matters
Burroughs Wellcome & Company represents a significant historical entity in the commercial landscape, founded by two notable figures, Henry Solomon Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs. Its establishment of the Wellcome Research Laboratories underscores a commitment to industrial and scientific advancement within the business sector. The company's operational footprint extended from its founding in London to a headquarters in New York City, reflecting its international scope. Its eventual replacement by Glaxo Wellcome in 1995 marks a pivotal moment in corporate consolidation history. Furthermore, the preservation of its products, such as insulin drops during World War II, in museums like the Dutch Resistance Museum and Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein', highlights its tangible impact on historical events and medical supply efforts.

## Notable For
- **Founding Date:** Established in 1880 in London.
- **Founders:** Created by Henry Solomon Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs.
- **Headquarters Location:** Based in New York City, United States.
- **Corporate Succession:** Replaced by Glaxo Wellcome in 1995.
- **Research Component:** Included the Wellcome Research Laboratories.
- **Historical Artifacts:** Possesses items in the Dutch Resistance Museum, specifically insulin dropped in 1945.
- **Museum Collections:** Featured in the Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein'.
- **Cross-Disciplinary Recognition:** Holds a Museum of Modern Art Artist ID (63282).
- **WikiProject Focus:** Listed on the focus list of Wikiproject Oorlogsbronnen (War Sources).
- **Global Identifiers:** Extensive indexing across global library and authority systems including ISNI, VIAF, and the Library of Congress.

## Body

### Founding and History
Burroughs Wellcome & Company was established in 1880 in London. The enterprise was created through the partnership of Henry Solomon Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs. As a business, it functioned as an organization undertaking commercial, industrial, or professional activity, legally classified as a juridical person and economic entity. The company's origins in London laid the groundwork for its subsequent operations in the United States.

### Corporate Structure and Operations
The company operated with its headquarters located in New York City, United States. Structurally, Burroughs Wellcome & Company was a business that owned and operated Wellcome Research Laboratories, indicating a focus on development and industrial activity. The entity is identified as a manufacturer of medical equipment and supplies in historical references, aligning with its classification as a commercial organization.

### Succession and Legacy
In 1995, Burroughs Wellcome & Company was replaced by Glaxo Wellcome. This transition marked the end of the company's independent operational identity under its original name, merging into a larger corporate structure. The date of this replacement serves as a terminus post quem for the company's active history under the Burroughs Wellcome name.

### Historical Collections and Artifacts
The company's historical significance is preserved through various artifacts held in museum collections.
*   **Dutch Resistance Museum:** Holds a specific artifact described as "Doosje met oorspronkelijk zes flesjes insuline, nu nog vijf" (Box with originally six bottles of insulin, now five). This item was dropped on April 4, 1945, near Loosdrecht.
*   **Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein':** Contains works associated with the company, further cementing its connection to historical events, specifically World War II contexts.

### Identifiers and Metadata
The entity is cataloged across numerous global knowledge systems and libraries, ensuring persistent identification.
*   **Authority Control:** Includes the Library of Congress Authority ID (n80146293), National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007578625205171), and VIAF ID (150029291).
*   **Academic and Cultural IDs:** Registered with the Museum of Modern Art as an artist (ID 63282), the Alexander Turnbull Library (ID 86895), and the Québec Cultural Heritage Directory (ID 22452).
*   **Technical Identifiers:** Assigned an ISNI (0000000100804998), Google Knowledge Graph ID (/g/1z3t20rfy), and Yale Lux ID (group/569a0c00-a286-4701-9e6d-ec411edc2cc0).
*   **European Identifiers:** Listed in the CANTIC (981058522865906706) and University of Barcelona authority systems, as well as Medvik (xx0112545, xx0112544).

### Digital and Cultural Presence
Burroughs Wellcome & Company maintains a digital footprint through various platforms.
*   **Wikimedia:** The entity has a dedicated Commons category ("Burroughs Wellcome & Co") and Wikipedia sitelinks in two languages (commons and German).
*   **WikiProjects:** It is recognized on the focus list of Wikiproject Oorlogsbronnen, a project dedicated to war sources and history.
*   **Aliases:** The company is known by several variations, including Burroughs Wellcome and Company, Burroughs Wellcome & Co., and simply Burroughs Wellcome.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.med-dept.com/resources/ww2-medical-equipment-manufacturers-and-suppliers/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](http://pubsapp.acs.org/subscribe/journals/mdd/v07/i01/pdf/104timeline.pdf?)
5. [Source](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/578947a4-a979-6337-74cd-ac760f3477e5)
6. [Doosje met oorspronkelijk zes flesjes insuline, nu nog vijf. Gedropt op 4 april 1945 bij Loosdrecht.](https://collectie.verzetsmuseum.org/ais6/Details/collect/336)
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File