born , Feb. 15, 1845, Carbondale, Pa., U.S.
died Feb. 7, 1910, New Brunswick, N.J.
U.S. manufacturer.
He began his career as a pharmacist and drug broker. In 1885 he founded medical supply company Johnson & Johnson with his brothers, and he served as its president until his death. An early proponent of the teachings of Joseph Lister , Johnson worked to make his products as germ-free as possible, and the firm's high-quality and inexpensive medical supplies, including antiseptic bandages and dressings, proved of great value to surgery. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a major philanthropic institution.