Meet the Author

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This book was compiled by the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company. The face behind the Pinkham Medicine Co., Lydia E. Pinkham, was born Lydia Estes in 1819 in Lynn, Massachusetts. A unique fact about Pinkham is that she was an educated woman, which was quite rare in the early 19th century. Pinkham products were born out of the Panic of 1837. Pinkham had always had a knack for making herbal concoctions and helping out her community, focusing mainly on herbal remedies to assist women with various ailments. However, when her family's finances were hit hard by the Panic of 1837, her son recommended that she start a business selling her herbal medicines. She became successful quite quickly, and was even referred to as the “saviour of her sex,” as no one understands a woman’s pain better than another woman. Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound quickly became a staple in many women’s homes and brought Pinkham fame and fortune. She was able to gross about $300,000.00 a year selling her infamous compound. Pinkham eventually became a household name, even compared to the likes of the Mona Lisa and Lady Liberty with her face plastered on several advertisements and pamphlets over the years. Pinkham died in 1883 in Lynn but her company lived on. In fact, you can still purchase the Lydia E. Pinkham Vegetable Compound today! 

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