William James Chrystal

William James Chrystal (20 May 1854 – 21 April 1921) was a Scottish chemist and partner in his family’s chemicals business J & J White Chemicals based in Rutherglen.

Ancestors Chrystal was born in Glasgow, son of insurance broker Robert Chrystal His mother Jean was the daughter of John White, founder of J & J White Chemicals, and her brothers John and James were also partners from 1840 and 1851 respectively until their deaths in the 1880s.

Education and career

Chrystal was educated at The Glasgow Academy and the University of Glasgow. He was a fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry and the Chemical Society. After working in a laboratory in the 1870s he joined J & J White Chemicals as an expert chemist, and after his uncle John died in 1881 he became the technical partner in the business.

He died at Auchendennan was buried at the family tomb in Glasgow Necropolis.