William Henry Perkin (1838–1907)

Chemist. Studied at the Royal College of Chemistry, 1853–6. In 1856, discovered the first aniline dye, aniline purple, by accident while attempting to synthesise quinine. Opened a chemical factory in 1858; pooled resources with BASF, 1869–70. After selling the business in 1873, devoted himself to pure chemical research at home. FRS 1866; royal medallist, 1879. Knighted, 1906.