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John Wheeley Lea (1791–March 23, 1874) was born on a farm and had three brothers and four sisters. He had wanted to be chemist since he was a young child, and his dream came true in 1823 when he partnered with a man named William Henry Perrins. He and Perrins opened a drug-store in Worcester. They went on to create the Lea & Perrins brand of Worcestershire sauce.

Lea was also an alderman and was elected mayor of Worcester in 1834 but served only three months in office. He died of acute dyspepsia (a fatal stomach disorder where the stomach cannot function properly) on March 23, 1874 at Stanfield House, Upper Wick, Worcestershire, and was buried in the family tomb at St Peter's, Powick.

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