A Rhode Island apothecary created a series of 20 fragrances nearly three centuries ago. One of them became George Washington’s signature scent. Cologne Number Six, the personal fragrance of the first president of the United States, smells like citrus, lavender, and rosemary, with an undertone of musk.
Washington’s Love for Grooming
According to Margaret Newell, a professor of history at Ohio State University, Washington was very fastidious about his personal hygiene. He washed a lot and included putting cologne on in his practice. Washington’s love for grooming also applied to his iconic hair, which was not a wig, but styled to mimic one.
Washington’s decision to adopt a personal fragrance was a sign of his wealth and his desire to appear as a gentleman. The apothecary, founded in 1752 by Scottish physician Dr. William Hunter in Newport, eventually evolved into the luxury fragrance brand Caswell Massey.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
