- William Thomson Perfumer:
Company:The Crown Perfumery
William Thomson is a renowned figure in the world of perfumery, with a rich and storied history. He was the son of William Sparks Thomson, an American - born businessman from Connecticut who founded the Crown Perfumery in London in 1872. Initially, the family business was centered around high - busted corsets. However, due to clients fainting from overly tightened corsets during fittings, the idea of lavender - scented salts emerged, which was then expanded into colognes and perfumes. William Thomson, Jr., with his chemistry education, brought his expertise and creativity to this new venture.
Throughout his career, William Thomson crafted a remarkable collection of perfumes. By the late 19th century, Crown Perfumery, under his influence, had exported around 47 different perfumery and cosmetic items to various countries from their factory warehouses at St. Catherine's docks. The company won 20 gold medals at different trade fairs and commissioned exquisite perfume bottles made of crystal (Baccarat) and porcelain (Doulton). It is believed that the Crown Perfumery, under William Thomson's tenure, was the first to promote the concept of layering, encouraging customers to mix several perfumes for a more complex and richer olfactory experience.
Some of his most notable creations include:
Malabar (1919): A fragrance that has intrigued perfume enthusiasts, though specific notes and its full story are yet to be as widely known as some of his other works.Spiced Limes (2005, revived by Anglia - Perfumery): This scent likely combines the zesty freshness of limes with warm, spicy undertones, creating a unique and invigorating aroma.Park Royal (1929): It must have had its own distinct character, perhaps with a blend of ingredients that evoked a sense of luxury and sophistication, mirroring the elegance of the era.Crown Spiced Limes (1921): A variation of the spiced limes theme, potentially with a more pronounced "Crown Perfumery" touch, using high - quality ingredients to bring out the best in the fragrance.Crown Rose (1873): As the name suggests, it is likely centered around the classic rose scent, but with William Thomson's unique interpretation. It may incorporate different rose varieties or be blended with other floral or complementary notes to create a more complex and long - lasting fragrance.Sandringham (1873): Inspired by King Edward VII, this perfume has a top note of lavender, citrus, and neroli, which gives it a fresh and invigorating start. The heart note of muge ut oil adds a unique and perhaps somewhat exotic touch, and the base notes of moss and sweet woody notes provide a warm and earthy foundation, making it a well - rounded and sophisticated scent.Crown Fougère (1880): A fougère - style fragrance, which typically combines elements of lavender, coumarin, and oakmoss. Thomson's version likely had its own twists, using high - quality ingredients to create a distinct and appealing fougère scent.Buckingham (1880): An elegant fragrance crafted especially for the opening of the Crown Perfumery boutique in New Bond Street. It has a head note featuring citrus, pine, bergamot, lemon, juniper, and cypress, which gives it a fresh and forest - like start. The heart note is a spicy fougère, adding a warm and complex middle, and the base note consists of aromatic woods and rich balsams, providing a deep and luxurious finish. It was later relaunched by Anglia Perfumery as Duncan in 2008.
Despite the initial success and worldwide fame of the Crown Perfumery under William Thomson's leadership, after the death of its founder, William Sparks Thomson, the company was sold to the Lever Brothers (future corporation Unilever) in the 1920s and was ultimately closed in 1939. However, the legacy of William Thomson's perfumes lived on. In 1985, chemist and perfume enthusiast Barry Gibson started the revival process, managing to restore 27 original perfume formulas. Later, in 1999, Clive Christian bought the Crown Perfumery project. Although the production of Crown fragrances was eventually discontinued again, William Thomson's contributions to the art of perfumery remain an important part of the industry's history, with his unique and well - crafted scents being remembered and sought after by perfume collectors and connoisseurs.
