Washington Sheffield
| Washington Sheffield | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Washington Wentworth Sheffield April 23, 1827 North Stonington, Connecticut |
| Died | November 4, 1897 (aged 70) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | W.W. Sheffield |
| Occupation | Dental Surgeon |
| Known for | Inventor of Toothpaste |
Washington Wentworth Sheffield (April 23, 1827 – November 4, 1897) was an American dental surgeon best known for inventing modern toothpaste. With the help of his son Lucius T. Sheffield, he is also known for being the first person to place the paste in collapsible tubes for public sale. He also made important contributions to the fields of Dentistry and Dental Surgery. He was considered one of the most skilled dentists in New England and the United States. In 1896, Colgate & Company began selling its own toothpaste that mimicked Dr. Sheffield's ready-made toothpaste and sold it in collapsible tubes like Dr. Sheffield.
Later in life, he spent most of his time as treasurer and manager of his companies, the Sheffield Dentifrice Company (which later became Sheffield Pharmaceuticals) and the International Tooth Crown Company, in New London, Connecticut.
Washington W. Sheffield was born April 23, 1827 in North Stonington, Connecticut, the third of eight children of the Rev. John Sheffield and Eliza (Lewis) Sheffield who married Feb. 6, 1820. Dr. Sheffield could trace his ancestry to Amos Sheffield, who was part of the Winthrop colony in 1630, and back to Edmund Shefield, who accompanied William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England. Dr. Sheffield grew up in North Stonington, Connecticut, and was educated in its public schools.
As was the custom in the 18th and early 19th century, Dr. Sheffield began his career in 1850 training as an apprentice dentist with Dr. J. A. G. Comstock of New London, Connecticut. He furthered his dentistry education in New York City by working under Dr. Charles Allen and Dr. D. H. Porter.
In April 1852, Dr. Sheffield moved to New London, Connecticut and began a long and successful practice in dentistry and dental surgery. Dr. Sheffield became one of the most successful dentists and dental surgeons in the United States. Dr. Sheffield graduated, in 1865, from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, the first dental school in the United States, as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, see Figure 2. In 1866, Dr. Sheffield received a naval commission from the President of the United States, Andrew Johnson, as a dental surgeon.
Dr. Sheffield married Miss Harriet P. Browne, daughter of Richard and Julia Browne of Providence, Rhode Island. This marriage produced one child, a son, Lucius T. Sheffield (May 28, 1854 – September 20, 1901). Lucius Sheffield grew up in New London, Connecticut, and attended Norwich Free Academy. Lucius followed his father into dentistry and dental surgery. Lucius attended Harvard Medical School and graduated from Harvard’s American Academy of Dental Medicine in 1878, see Figure 3. After graduation, from 1878 to 1879, Lucius traveled to Paris, France, to study and work in dentistry and dental surgery.
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