Thomas Tomlinson Cussons


Thomas Tomlinson Cussons was the head of the British soap manufacturing business Cussons & Son. He established the 'Cussons' brand which has become one of the largest personal care brands in Britain.

Early life

Thomas Cussons was born in Kingston upon Hull, England to George Cussons and his wife Jane Cussons.

Career

Cussons qualified as a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1869. After qualifying Cussons opened a chemist in Holbeck, Leeds. In 1879 he sold the Holbeck branch and acquired an existing chemist in Louth. In the early 1880s Cussons opened a chemist in the town of Ossett, where he also operated as a wine merchant. He enjoyed an exclusive right to distribute W & A Gilbey Wines in Ossett. In 1891 he opened a further chemist in Swinton, Salford.
Initially the Cussons brand was attached principally to medicine. In 1893 the Cussons range included the following:
  • Cussons "Excelsior" Tic Mixture
  • Cussons Compound Rhubarb Pills
  • Cussons Antibilious Pills
  • Cussons "Excelsior" Black Currant Cough Elixir
  • Cussons Effervescing Saline
In 1897 Cussons acquired a glass blowing factory in Harpurhey, which marked the beginning of a great increase in business. Cussons' commercial activities laid the foundations for his son Alexander Tom Cussons, who would make Cussons into a multinational brand and manufacture the famous Cussons Imperial Leather soap.

Published Letters of Recommendation

In 1892 Cussons published extracts from letters of people recommending the Cussons brand.
Below is an extract from a clergyman to Mr. Cussons dated 28 March 1888:
Below is an extract from a Mr S. Smith dated 19 March 1888:
Below is an extract from a woman in service, dated 17 March 1888: