William Allen (1770-1843), Chemist and philanthropist
Sitter in 9 portraits
Allen began working for the Plough Court Pharmacy in the 1790s and was offered a partnership in the business. In 1807, his research on carbon enabled him to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, bringing him into contact with many pre-eminent scientists of the day. In 1841 he co-founded and became the first president of The Pharmaceutical Society. Allen's interests, however, moved from science to philanthropy and he became engaged in various schemes of social and penal improvement. He had been interested from childhood in the anti-slavery campaign; in 1807 he became an active member of the African Institution, agitating for the abolition of black slavery in Sierra Leone and the West Indies.
The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840
by Benjamin Robert Haydon
oil on canvas, 1841
On display in Room 20 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 599
Men of Science Living in 1807-8
by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075
Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a
Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b
by Charles Baugniet, printed by Day & Haghe, after Thomas Francis Dicksee
lithograph, (1843)
NPG D7334
after Thomas Francis Dicksee
lithograph, (1843)
NPG D973
'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840)
by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon
lithograph, circa 1846-1864 (1841)
NPG D23546
'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840)
by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon
lithograph, circa 1846-1864 (1841)
NPG D20516
'The Abolition of the Slave Trade' (The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840)
by John Alfred Vinter, after Benjamin Robert Haydon
lithograph, circa 1846-1864 (1841)
NPG D32033
Science
Social Welfare and Reform
Groups
Anti-Slavery Society
Scientists
Place
Sierra Leone
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