Kingston, Brian (1923-1990)

The following is an interim description which may change when detailed cataloguing takes place in future.

Perfumery recipe books and ledgers, 1871-c.1917; notes and annual reports relating to Central Perfumery Department, Isleworth, [?John Knight Ltd] 1932-1940; Kingston's working notes in perfumery business, c.1936-c.1938; and historical notes compiled by Kingston relating to essential oil and perfumery industry, 1970s.

1871-1970s

Uncatalogued: 2 transfer boxes

Brian Hugh Kingston was born in September 1923. After completing a degree in Chemistry at Southampton University College in 1944, he joined the Esso European Labs near Harwell Aerodrome where he was involved in developing low-temperature hydraulic fluids. In 1947 he joined Jo Lyons and went on to develop a method for preparing extremely pure flavours using alumina gas chromatography. Following this Kingston moved to Boake Roberts developing industrial perfumes and was the first to use gas liquid chromatography for the analysis of perfumes and essential oils. In 1962 he began work at Proprietary Perfumes Ltd (Unilever) where he was involved with the creation of the first 'Lux' perfume and also Johnson's baby cream and soaps.

In 1970 Kingston was awarded 'Perfume of the Year' from the British Society of Perfumers (BSP). He also held the positions of Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the BSP. He died in Tenterden, Kent in 1990.

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