Chemist. Born King David's Lane, Shadwell. While a student at the Royal College of Chemistry, aged 18 he discovered the first aniline dyestuff while working in his home laboratory. He dropped out of college and with his family's support he opened a chemical factory at Greenford Green (where there is now a plaque) and began manufacturing the dye, the first mauve. His plaque says that he "went on to found science-based industry". We understand the words (and discovered that SBI is even a recognised acronyn) but aren't too sure of the significance since we would have thought that SBI dates back to at least the beginning of the industrial revolution in the 18th century. Died at home in Sudbury.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir William Henry Perkin, FRS
Commemorated ati
Sir William Perkin
Sir William Henry Perkin, FRS, discovered the first aniline dyestuff, March 1...
Other Subjects
Lyon Playfair
One of the Special Commissioners for the Great Exhibition 1851. Born in Bengal. Chemist. 1st Baron Playfair. Died at home in South Kensington.
Person, Politics & Administration, Science, Bengal, Scotland
John Heathcoat
Inventor and businessman. Born Derbyshire. Invented a machine for manufacturing a new type of lace, bobbin net, and went on to manufacture and sell lace. 1815 he bought a mill in Tiverton, moved th...
LEO Computers Society
From the Picture source: "This is the site of the LEO Computers Society celebrating the World's first business computer. Membership of the Society is open to: all ex-employees of LEO Computers and ...
Thomas Huxley
Thomas Henry Huxley. Biologist and anthropologist. Born Ealing. An early adherent to Darwin's theory of evolution, he was a strong supporter while also pointing out what he saw as flaws. At the R...
Lord Kelvin
Mathematical physicist and engineer. Born Belfast. His family moved to Glasgow when he was aged 11. Worked in thermodynamics and on the transatlantic cable. 1st Baron Kelvin. Died Largs Ayrshire.