Thomas William Keates (November 1817 - 7 May 1882) was a practical chemist who worked for a number of public bodies. Born in Poole, Dorset, he was the son of a seaman. He moved to London in 1837 and established himself as an analytical chemist based at Chatham Place in the City of London. He was an associate of Louis Daguerre and held a number of patents including one for the distillation of turpentine. He died at his home "The Acacias", East Dulwich, aged 64.