Exhibit 23.1

68
Consent of Independent Accountants

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statement on Form S-1 for Albemarle Corporation (File No. 33-77452)
and in the registration statement on Form S-8 for the Savings Plan
for Employees of Albemarle Corporation (File No. 33-75622) of our
report dated February 5, 1999, on our audits of the consolidated
financial statements of Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries as
of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, which report is included on page 43 of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                 /s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Richmond, Virginia
March 9, 1999