Three Important Collections of Chemicals at the Science Museum, London

Explore a fascinating talk by Peter Morris about three significant chemical collections housed at the Science Museum in London. Beginning with a concise overview of the museum's chemical holdings, the presentation delves into the historical importance of William Henry Perkin's mauve samples, Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte's element collection, and Henri Moissan's electric arc-produced compounds. Learn about the acquisition history of each collection, examine the individual samples they contain, and understand the challenges and methods of their storage, conservation, and exhibition. The talk concludes with valuable insights into why these chemical collections remain scientifically and historically significant. This 33-minute Royal Society of Chemistry presentation was delivered on February 18, 2025.