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EXHIBIT 23.1      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-68863) of Hercules Incorporated of our report
dated June 29, 2001 relating to the financial statements of the BetzDearborn
Inc. Employee Stock Ownership and 401(k) Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
June 29, 2001