Frank P. Newman

1868–????

Wrote the most important early French cocktail book

It’s not entirely clear where Franz Philippe Newmann was born—at some point, he claimed London—or why he changed his name to Frank Newman. Nevertheless, he worked in a variety of Paris hotel bars, eventually opening his own place, and in the process seems to have become quite well known. In 1900, he issued the first edition of his book, “American-Bar: Boissons Anglaises & Américaines” to capitalize on the Exposition Universelle. His expanded 1904 second edition features more drinks of his own, as well as one of the first recipes anywhere for a Dry Martini. Quite a few of Newman’s drinks appeared in later bar guides.