1 EXHIBIT 23. CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of Hercules Incorporated on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-21667) of our report dated June 26, 1997 on our audits of the financial statements of Hercules Incorporated Employee Savings Plan as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the year ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 11-K. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. 2400 Eleven Penn Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 June 26, 1997 11