Sir William Henry Perkin | |
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 Perkin in 1906 | |
| Born | 12 March 1838 London, England |
| Died | 14 July 1907 (aged 69) London, England |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Chemistry |
| Known for | Aniline dye Perkin's mauve Perkin reaction |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
| Signature | |
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Sir William Henry Perkin FRS (12 March 1838 – 14 July 1907)[1] was a British chemist and entrepreneur best known for his serendipitous discovery of the first commercial synthetic organic dye, mauveine, made from aniline. Though he failed in trying to synthesise quinine for the treatment of malaria, he became successful in the field of dyes after his first discovery at the age of 18.[2]
Perkin set up a factory to produce the dye industrially. Lee Blaszczyk, professor of business history at the University of Leeds, states, "By laying the foundation for the synthetic organic chemicals industry, Perkin helped to revolutionize the world of fashion."[2]
- ^ "Perkin, Sir William Henry". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/35477. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ a b "The color purple: How an accidental discovery changed fashion forever". CNN. 12 March 2018.