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
Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford
Inventor and adventurer. Born Woburn, Massachusetts. Having spied for the British in America he moved to England in 1776, was knighted by King George III, moved to Germany where he gained the titl...
Person, Politics & Administration, Science, France, Germany, USA
1 memorial
William Hyde Wollaston
Chemist and physicist. Born Norfolk. Trained and worked as a doctor. 1797 moved to London and in 1801 stopped working and concentrated on his interests, setting up a private laboratory at 14 Buckin...
1 memorial
Dr John Percy
2014: Via Facebook Martin Evans suggests this man for the name panel at IC. He was the first Professor of Metallurgy at the School of Mines so we agree, he must be our man. Born Nottingham. Trai...
1 memorial
John Bird
Mathematical instrument maker, notable for inventing the sextant. He came to London in 1740 where he worked for Jonathan Sisson and George Graham. By 1745, he had his own business in the Strand. Bi...
1 memorial
Charles 3rd Earl Stanhope
Politician and scientist. Born in London and educated at Eton and the University of Geneva, Switzerland. A brief browse on the web brought up Stanhope's name in association with inventions in the f...
1 memorial
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