Allen, William P. (William Porter), 1881-1941

William Porter Allen was born in Philadelphia on August 21, 1881. He attended Rutgers University, graduating with a B.S. degree in chemistry. His first job was with the New Jersey Agricultural Experimental Station. In 1906 he joined E.I. du Pont de Nemours as a research chemist, going to work at the company's Eastern Laboratory. Three years later he joined the High Explosives Operating Department, and in 1914 he became superintendent of the Hopewell, Va. dynamite plant. When this war plant closed in 1918, Allen came to Wilmington as head of the Service Department. He was named to a number of positions in the 1920s including general manager of the Cellulose Products Dept. and Paint, Lacquer & Chemicals Dept. In 1928 he was elected director and vice president, becoming a member of the Executive Committee. In 1931 he left the Du Pont Company to become president of the Childs restaurant chain. He died on May 17, 1941.