Priestley Overview

What makes Priestley so Great?

Recently many new insights into the genius of Joseph Priestley - polymath of polymaths - have come to light. His anticipation of 'black holes' in astronomy and his theory of phlogiston being but a few. Read the Joseph Priestley Article...

Joseph Priestley was a great scientist who discovered the gas oxygen on the 1st of August 1774. Did you know that without Priestley we wouldn't have Carbonated Drinks? Without Priestley we might not have the eraser (Indian gum), we wouldn't have hydrochloric acid, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), carbon monoxide or even sulfur dioxide! That's a lot of substances we use everyday and don't even think about.

Next time you're drinking a soft drink or soda water, you've got Joseph Priestley to thank for it. Or when you make a mistake and need an eraser, think of Priestley. What about when your dentist give you nitrous oxide to numb the pain? That's Priestley as well. Priestley also did experiments with electricity and his friends included Benjamin Franklin and even Thomas Jefferson.

Introduction to Joseph Priestley's History

Joseph Priestley was an English scientist and spent most of his life in England however he did move to America after being persecuted for his radical views. Priestley was born in the parish of Birstall in the West Riding of Yorkshire, where the modern day Priestley Society is based, and was brought up in nearby Heckmondwike. He attended Batley Grammar School, England.

Priestley later moved to Birmingham, London and eventually Northumberland in Pennsylvania USA because his radical views in England were opposed by the general populous.

Joseph Priestley was a clergyman and political theorist. He wrote over 150 books that advanced liberal, political and religious thought at the time. His religious and political beliefs were very controversial and his house was burnt down in the Birmingham 'Priestley Riots' 1791.