George W. Redding (fl. c. 1840 – c. 1859) was the founder of Redding and Company, Boston based publishers, book and magazine agents, and quack pharmaceutical agents active in the middle part of the 19th century. Redding's personal and business histories are vague. The firm appears to have been founded around 1841 by George W. Redding and Alexander Williams (August 24, 1818 – January 11, 1900). From their offices at 8 State Street, the firm published their own works, acted as an agent for books and magazines from London and New York, and sold salves and ointments. Advertising for the Redding firm's publications begins appearing around 1841. Under the guidance of Williams, a supreme organizer, the firm introduced magazine distribution throughout New England – at the time a novelty through which they enjoyed significant success. The publishing arm of Redding and Company appears to have dissolved around 1855, but the pharmaceutical arm continued until about 1859. The cure-all Russia Salve was among their more successful products. After 1860 there are conflicting reports. Some suggest that Redding himself died sometime before 1873 and the business passed to other owners. Other sources, including the Boston Directory, suggest that the firm continued to operate as late as the 1880s.



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