Mauveine, also known as aniline purple and Perkin's mauve, was the first synthetic chemical dye. Today, it is used to make purple clothes and mechanical components.
William Henry Perkin was an English chemist best known for his discovery, at the age of 18 of the first aniline dye, mauveine.He was born in the East End of London, the youngest of the seven children of George Perkin, a successful carpenter.He was baptised in the parish church of St Paul.At the age of 14, Perkin attended the City of London School; where he was taght by Thomas Hal, who fostered his scientific talent and encouraged him to persue a career in chemistry.
