Editing William Henry Perkin (section)

== Early years ==
William Perkin was born in the [[East End of London]],<ref>At 3 King David Lane, off [[Cable Street]], [[Shadwell]]: Baptisms Solemnised in the Parish of Saint Paul, Shadwell, County of Middlesex, in the Year 1838, p.  181.</ref> the youngest of the seven children of George Perkin, a successful carpenter. His mother, Sarah, was of [[Scottish people|Scottish]] descent and moved to East London as a child.<ref name="findarticles.com">UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography (2003). Accessed 18 March 2008.</ref> He was baptized in the Anglican parish church of [[St. Paul's Church, Shadwell|St Paul's, Shadwell]], which had been connected to [[James Cook]], [[Jane Randolph Jefferson]] (mother of [[Thomas Jefferson]]) and [[John Wesley]].

At the age of 14, Perkin attended the [[City of London School]], where he was taught by Thomas Hall, who fostered his scientific talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in chemistry.<ref name="findarticles.com" />