Dyson Perrins Laboratory
Encyclopedia
The Dyson Perrins Laboratory in the science area of the University of Oxford was the main centre for research into organic chemistry
of the University from its foundation in 1916 until its closure as a laboratory in 2003. It was founded with an endowment from Charles Dyson Perrins
, heir to the Lea & Perrins
Worcestershire sauce
company, and stands on the north side of South Parks Road in Oxford.
During its 87 year working life, the laboratory had an extremely distinguished career; it can claim a stake in shaping the scientific careers of two Nobel Laureates, namely Lord Todd
(1957) and Sir John W. Cornforth (1975) who passed their formative years as young chemists in the laboratories.
, the contractors being Armitage and Hodgson of Leeds. Funding came in part from C. W. Dyson Perrins of Queen's College. In 1920–22 an eastern wing was added as contemplated in the original design, this was followed in 1934 by an extension for medical students and in 1940–41 a new brick wing to the north was built.
The building is now used for teaching; all research in organic chemistry at Oxford is now conducted across South Parks Road
at the University's state-of-the-art Chemistry Research Laboratory
. The majority of the building has been handed over to the Oxford University Geography Department for the establishment of the Oxford University Centre for the Environment (OUCE).
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
of the University from its foundation in 1916 until its closure as a laboratory in 2003. It was founded with an endowment from Charles Dyson Perrins
Charles Dyson Perrins
Charles William Dyson Perrins was an English businessman, bibliophile and philanthropist. He was born in Claines, near Worcester, the son of James Dyson Perrins, the owner of the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce factory and the grandson of William Perrins, co-originator of the Lea & Perrins...
, heir to the Lea & Perrins
Lea & Perrins
Lea & Perrins is a United Kingdom based food division of the H.J. Heinz Company, originating in Worcester, England, with a subsidiary in the United States which manufactures Lea & Perrins in New Jersey...
Worcestershire sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Worcestershire sauce , or Worcester sauce is a fermented liquid condiment; primarily used to flavour meat or fish dishes.First made at 60 Broad Street, Worcester, England, by two dispensing chemists, John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins, the Lea & Perrins brand was commercialised in 1837 and...
company, and stands on the north side of South Parks Road in Oxford.
Notable chemists
The heads of the laboratory were the four consecutive Waynflete Professors of Chemistry:- William Henry Perkin, Jr.William Henry Perkin, Jr.William Henry Perkin, Jr. was an English organic chemist who was primarily known for his groundbreaking research work on the degradation of naturally occurring organic compounds.-Early life:...
, from 1912 to 1929; - Sir Robert Robinson, from 1930 to 1954. Nobel PrizeNobel PrizeThe Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
winner, 1947; - Sir Ewart JonesEwart JonesProfessor Sir Ewart Ray Herbert Jones was a Welsh organic chemist and academic administrator, whose fields of expertise led him to discoveries into the chemistry of natural products, mainly steroids, terpenes and vitamins...
, from 1954 to 1978; - Sir Jack Baldwin, from 1978 to 2003.
During its 87 year working life, the laboratory had an extremely distinguished career; it can claim a stake in shaping the scientific careers of two Nobel Laureates, namely Lord Todd
Alexander R. Todd, Baron Todd
Alexander Robertus Todd, Baron Todd, OM, PRS FRSE was a Scottish biochemist whose research on the structure and synthesis of nucleotides, nucleosides, and nucleotide coenzymes gained him the 1957 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.Todd was born near Glasgow, attended Allan Glen's School and graduated from...
(1957) and Sir John W. Cornforth (1975) who passed their formative years as young chemists in the laboratories.
History and present use
The building of the laboratory began in 1913 and was finished in 1916 to the designs of Paul WaterhousePaul Waterhouse
Paul Waterhouse, , was a British architect.He was son and business partner of Alfred Waterhouse and father of Michael Waterhouse, who were all architects who designed buildings in England...
, the contractors being Armitage and Hodgson of Leeds. Funding came in part from C. W. Dyson Perrins of Queen's College. In 1920–22 an eastern wing was added as contemplated in the original design, this was followed in 1934 by an extension for medical students and in 1940–41 a new brick wing to the north was built.
The building is now used for teaching; all research in organic chemistry at Oxford is now conducted across South Parks Road
South Parks Road
South Parks Road is a road in Oxford, England. It runs east-west past the main Science Area of the University of Oxford, where many of the science departments are located....
at the University's state-of-the-art Chemistry Research Laboratory
Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford
Chemistry Research Laboratory is a state of the art research facility home to Chemistry at the University of Oxford. Her Majesty The Queen opened the building on 20 February 2004, which replaced the older Dyson Perrins Laboratory just across the street from it. It has five floors covering ~17,000...
. The majority of the building has been handed over to the Oxford University Geography Department for the establishment of the Oxford University Centre for the Environment (OUCE).
External links
- Organic Chemistry at the University of Oxford
- Historic Chemical Landmark award from the Royal Society of ChemistryRoyal Society of ChemistryThe Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new...