New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-05
SIR WILLIAM HENRY PERKIN.

A man who has so largely promoted the adj
vance Of material civilization the founder of
the coal tar industries may worthuy be hon.
ored In variety Of ways There Is great pro-
priety In such a manifestation Of personal re-
spect for the distinguished English chemist who
is visiting New York this week as Is given by
a celebration of his achievements and the pres
entation to him Of q commemorative medal
tribute like that which Sir William Henry
Perkin will receive from the New York Chem
lists Club is wisely designed. and the bestowal
Of it will not be the less happy for the charac-
teristic modesty of the chief guest OF the occa-
sion.
Another and perhaps q more appropriate
way to recognize the value OF such work as his
Is to take steps to assist other men In perform
ing a similar service to the world. Providing
scholarships for original research by promising
young chemists would be measure of that
character. The Chemists Club Of this city has
decided not to undertake such q project-at
has adopted plan which will apparently ben
eft a larger number of persons. The estab-
lishment of a library devoted exclusively to
works On chemistry and made doubly service
able by facilities for consultation here In town
and circulation throughout the country, would
prove far reaching in its influence. We sim
cerey trust that the $4,000 required for the
purpose will be promptly secured
There is much in the early life of Sir William
TO impart courage to those who undertake the
solution of difficult chemical problems When
only seventeen years of age he took up an IN
quiry which had fascinated his teacher, relating
20 the feasibility Of making quinine artifcially.
His slow progress exposed him to disparaging
criticism, but he stuck to his task Like the
man who had inspired his interest In this par
ticular task. he failed, but he achieved some
thing else of even greater Importance within a
year. By the discovery of the first OF the aniline
colors. mauve In 1885, he led the way to an
enormous number of similar achievements. It
Is said that no fewer than seven hundred prod
ucts Of coal tar, unknown and undreamt of
half century ago, are now being manufactured.
prominent among these are dyes, medicines and
Photographic developers. New industries have
been founded, old Enthusiastically the color
ing Of textile fabrics-have been benefited, ad-
ditional employments have been provided for
thousands Of persons, fortunes have been made
and fresh stimulus has been impaired to the
science of chemistry. Had the young investi-
gator been persuaded by the sneers of others
TO abandon the clew he was following the world
might even to-day be ignorant of the treasures
whose existence he was the first to reveal
when the movement for a celebration of the
discovery of mauve began last winter in Sir
Williams own country, it was proposed to give
the demonstration an international character
Invitations were sent to the United States as
well as to Continental countries to participate
In the exercises, which were held in London
late in July When the subject was discussed
by the Chemists Club in New York it was de
cided to arrange, if possible, for independent
obseryances in America. The programme here
was broadened sufficiently TO include efforts TO
raise money TO promote the research project
adopted in Europe. but it also embraced feat
ures local To the United States That policy
has at least two obvious advantages. A livelier
appreciation Of the Importance OF Industrial
chemistry has been excited on this side Of the
Atlantic, and larger number of Americans
have been enabled TO pay their respects to Sir
William than would otherwise have been pos
sble.