Arthur George Perkin facts for kids

Arthur George Perkin (1861–1937) was an important English chemist. He became a professor at the University of Leeds, where he taught about colour chemistry and dyeing. He was known for his work with natural dyes.

Early Life and Education

Arthur George Perkin was born on December 13, 1861, in Sudbury, London. His father was Sir William Henry Perkin, a famous chemist who started the first industry for making synthetic dyes. Arthur's older brother, William Henry Perkin, Jr., also became a well-known chemistry professor.

Arthur went to the City of London School from 1872 to 1878. After that, he studied chemistry at several places, including the Royal College of Chemistry in London and Leeds University.

In 1893, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a special honour for scientists in Scotland.

Arthur Perkin passed away in Headingley on May 30, 1937. He is buried with his wife in Adel Churchyard, in Leeds.

Family Life

Arthur Perkin married Annie Florence Bedford in 1887. They did not have any children.

His Career in Chemistry

Arthur Perkin started his chemistry studies at the Royal College of Chemistry in 1878. He published his first scientific paper when he was just 19 years old.

After working for a year at Anderson's College in Glasgow, Perkin joined the Dyeing Department at the Yorkshire College in Leeds in 1881. For the next ten years, starting in 1882, he worked in the dye industry for a company called Hardman and Holden Ltd in Manchester.

In 1892, Perkin returned to the Yorkshire College as a lecturer and research chemist. In 1904, the Yorkshire College became the University of Leeds. In 1916, Perkin was made a full Professor of Colour Chemistry and Dyeing there.

He retired in 1926 and was given the title of Emeritus Professor. The next year, the university gave him an honorary degree called a DSc to recognize his great work.

Royal Society Recognition

Arthur Perkin was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in June 1903. This is a very high honour for scientists in the United Kingdom.

In 1924, he received the Davy Medal from the Royal Society. This award was given to him for his important research into the chemistry of natural colouring matters, which are dyes found in plants.

His work helped scientists understand how these natural dyes are made and how they work. He studied many different plants used for dyeing, especially those from India and Java. His research helped explain the chemical makeup of these dyes. He also discovered new ways to identify and study different types of natural dyes.