Exhibit 23.1

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 the  Employees  of  Albemarle
Corporation  (File No.  33-75622) of our report dated  February 7, 1997,  on our
audits of the  consolidated  financial  statements of Albemarle  Corporation and
Subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, appearing on page 38 of the Albemarle  Corporation 1996
Annual Report,  which report is  incorporated by reference in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.

                                                  COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Richmond, Virginia
March 26, 1997

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