John Ripley Myers (October 8, 1864 - December 22, 1899) was an American businessman. He pursued several business ventures, and then partnered with William McLaren Bristol to purchase the Clinton Pharmaceutical Company in Clinton, New York. Myers and Bristol decided to rename the company Bristol, Myers and Company in 1898. He lived in Brooklyn, New York while working to make Bristol, Myers profitable. He was noted for his philanthropic activities, including contributions to charities sponsored by the New York Herald and New York Tribune, as well as donations to Hamilton College. Bristol, Myers and Company wasn't instantly profitable, and was still struggling when Myers died of pneumonia in 1899 at the age of 34. Although Myers didn't live to see Bristol, Myers and Company became successful, his heirs inherited his shares, and his name remained associated with it. Bristol-Myers enjoyed sustained international success and eventually merged with a main competitor, Squibb Pharmaceuticals, to produce the company now known as Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers Squibb is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.