Sir William Henry Perkin FRS
(1838-1907)
Fellow of the Royal Society, founder of science-based industry, discoverer of the first aniline dyestuff (from 1856), and Knight Bachelor (from 1906)
Family tree
Commemorated on 3 plaques
Sir William Henry Perkin FRS discovered the first aniline dyestuff, March 1856, while working in his home laboratory on this site and went on to found science-based industry. 1838-1907
Cable Street, London, United Kingdom where they lived and worked
Sir William H. Perkin (1838-1907) discovered mauveine, the world’s first synthetic dyestuff, in 1856. He and his brother Thomas produced mauveine from a factory on this site in 1857, and later alizarin, thus laying the foundations of the organic chemicals industry. This replaces a centenary plaque unveiled by Sir R Robinson in 1957.
Howdens Joinery, Oldfield Lane North, Greenford, London, United Kingdom where they was
Sir William Henry Perkin established on this site in 1857 the first synthetic dye factory in the world. Respice prospice. 1838-1907.
Howdens Joinery, Oldfirled Lane North, Greenford, London, United Kingdom where they worked (1857)