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Sir William Henry Perkin FRS (12 March 1838 – 14 July 1907) was a British chemist and entrepreneur best known for his serendipitous discovery of the first commercial synthetic organic dye, mauveine, made from aniline.
Sir William Henry Perkin was a British chemist who discovered aniline dyes. In 1853 Perkin entered the Royal College of Chemistry, London, where he studied under August Wilhelm von Hofmann. While Perkin was working as Hofmann’s laboratory assistant, he undertook the synthesis of quinine.
Learn about William Perkin, the 18-year-old who discovered mauveine, the first synthetic dye, in 1856. Find out how he became a wealthy and influential chemist, and how his dye revolutionized textiles, foods, and medicine.
In 1856, during Easter vacation from London’s Royal College of Chemistry, 18-year-old William Henry Perkin (1838–1907) synthesized mauve, or aniline purple—the first commercialized synthetic dyestuff—from chemicals derived from coal tar.
Sep 18, 2006 · The life, work and legacy of Sir William Henry Perkin are reviewed in the light of his early chemical education, his training in coal tar chemistry with Hofmann, and his discovery, patenting and manufacture of mauveine.
May 23, 2018 · Learn about the British chemist who created the first synthetic dye (mauve) in 1856 and founded the modern chemical industry. Explore his life, achievements, awards, and legacy in this comprehensive biography.
William Henry Perkin (1838-1907) The career of Sir William Henry Perkin was initiated by one of the most fortuitous discoveries in the history of chemistry. He did not realize his goal, but his curiosity led to financial success.
