Newsletters

The Priestley Society started in 2007 a biannual newsletter to its members. From 2008 onwards the newsletter is to be put online. Any articles that would be relevant to our newsletter are most welcome and should be sent to Jennifer Graham, the Newsletter editor at editor@priestleysociety.net. Submitted future articles should not be overly lengthy.

Spring 2008 Newsletter

Friends of Joseph Priestley

by John Blatchley

James Birch, Secretary for the Priestley Society in the UK was the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Friends of Joseph Priestley House on 12th September 2007. Several members of the Friends had met Jim and his wife Lesley on trips to England, therefore, they were enticed to accept an invitation to visit with Priestley re-enactor Ronald Blatchley and his wife Frances in New Berlin.

The Blatchleys met Jim and Lesley at Philadelphia airport and gave them a two-day tour of Philadelphia before returning to their home. They used James Bohning’s "Map of Priestley’s Philadelphia" to find several locations associated with Priestley, and with his friend and mentor Benjamin Franklin.

While the four were dining at a Philadelphia restaurant, Franklin himself (re-enactor Ralph Archbold) walked in. Ron flagged him down and reminded him that - as Joseph Priestley - they had met before and invited him to meet Jim and Lesley. Franklin kindly consented to chat for a few minutes and pose with Jim for some photos.

Over the next two weeks, the Birches and Blatchleys visited the Priestley House and gravesite in Northumberland, the Priestley landholdings in Sullivan County, the collection of Priestley apparatus at Dickinson College, and the Priestley archives at Penn State University.

This article continues in the full newsletter that can be downloaded here (Word Doc - 2.03 MB).

7 November 2007 Joseph Priestley Lecture: "Monstrous Barbarity, the Story of Richard Oastler the Factory King" by Michael D. Barber

Richard Oastler... "A criminal incendiary"-The Lord Chancellor in The House of Lords.

"Mr. Oastler is in all respects a remarkable man... for his talents, for his habits, his physiognomy the expression of his countenance, his principles and his firm adherence to them, his perseverance, his energy, his courage, his moral and political position, for his vigorous oratory, and especially for the extraordinary control that he exercises over the minds of great assemblages of working men, the secret of which is his long tried honesty and his disposition and ability to promote the real interests of the poor and the oppressed.

His motto is: The Altar, The Throne and The Cottage. - Illustrated London News 9 May 1844.

"One of the most feared yet best loved figures of his generation"-Cecil Driver Oastler's biographer.

"A man of great animal powers, active, persevering, a ready writer and a fluent speaker, of undoubted courage, and entertaining the very best intentions to serve the mill and factory workers, more especially the unfortunate and helpless children employed in them. Withal, he was somewhat crazy, and of course greatly deficient in judgement. Ever active, never still, writing and speaking incessantly, making abundance of friends amongst the poor, and a like abundance of enemies amongst those who employed them; and thus he put formidable impediments in his own way." -Francis Place 1842

"An impossible humbug" -An American historian, quoted in Driver.

"No man has finer talents or a warmer heart; his feeling His feelings are too powerful for control, and he had often been outrageous, because he knew all his principles were just. The factory children, and all the operatives, owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude".-Lord Ashley after visiting Oastler in the Fleet Prison.

This article continues in the full newsletter that can be downloaded here (Word Doc - 2.03 MB).

Joseph Priestley College Celebration and Awards Evening, Leeds Town Hall

For the fourth year running, the Priestley Society sponsored an award, this time in the “Long Standing Service” category.

Ella Scarth, the welcoming face of Joseph Priestley College’s Morley Campus for the last 20 years. She is now enjoying a well-earned retirement, but the place is not quite the same without her.

Wendy Coleman, she started her career as a dinner lady when Peel Street was still a school, Noted for her reliability and a willingness to help, she is well liked by her colleagues and students alike.

Kathleen Hesling, dedicated, professional and consistent team worker who never fails to deliver to the highest standard, she has the respect of students and staff alike.

The full newsletter can be downloaded here (Word Doc - 2.03 MB).