Carte De Visite Portrait of James Miller
AssociatedAssociated with
Sandilands Chemical Works
(Aberdeen, Scotland, founded 1848)
AssociatedAssociated with
John Miller & Company
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1848 - 1928)
PhotographerPhotographed by
George Washington Wilson
(Alvah, Banffshire, Scotland, 1823 - 1893)
DateJanuary 1867
Object NamePhotograph
Mediumalbumen; paper; ink; card
ClassificationsChemicals and Gas
Dimensions9.6 x 6.3cm
AcquisitionPresented in 2005 by Mrs M Keay.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS074286
About MeIn 1848 George Miller of Glasgow leased land adjacent to the gasworks. His purpose was to process the by-products of coal gas manufacture. Ammoniac water was the product he sought. This he intended to turn a fertiliser that could be sold to local farmers. In this way the coal gas industry provided the backbone for a chemical industry. Miller's Sandilands Chemical Works, known locally as "stinky Miller's", went on to manufacture a range of products for North East agriculture. In 1928 it became part of Scottish Agricultural Industries.