I.A.1_Perkin_a_review_of_his_life_work_and_legacy

Sir William Henry Perkin: a review of his life, work and legacy Ian Holme 1 Holt Walk, Adel, Leeds LS16 7QB, UK Email: texiho@leeds. ac. uk One hundred and fifty years ago the world of coloration changed forever with William Henry Perkin’s discovery... More

Sir William Henry Perkin: a review of his life, work and legacy Ian Holme 1 Holt Walk, Adel, Leeds LS16 7QB, UK Email: texiho@leeds. ac. uk One hundred and fifty years ago the world of coloration changed forever with William Henry Perkin’s discovery of the first synthetic dye derived from coal tar. 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. This was the first synthetic dyestuff to be manufactured in a purpose-built industrial chemical plant anywhere in the world. Introduction If William Henry Perkin had never existed, one wonders if, when and where the synthetic dyestuffs and pigments industries might have been founded, and what the current state of the modern chemical industry and of coloration would be like today. Perkin was a most remarkable and resourceful person whose achievements, b Less