Jospeh Priestley: The Man

Before we see what Priestley achieved scientifically and his role in the history of chemistry, lets us first meet the man. A Unitariam minister who has moved down here to Birmingham from Leeds, proficient in physics, philosophy, algebra, mathematics, multiple languages, and the outstanding experimentalist of the day.

Before coming down to Birmingham, he has had a number of tutoring jobs and has opened a small school in Cheshire, being a keen believer in liberal education and the importance of the histroy of science. He has been elected into the Royal Soceity in recognition of his work in electricity, then after being elected he published The History and present State of Electricity, with original Experiments (1767), helped in this by Bejamin Franklin who he met in London, the book describes the history of electricity and adding some of his own views and comments on the progress of human knowledge. However despite his welcome scientific work, his polictical and social views are continually getting him into trouble.

Having moved to Birmingham to be a minister at the New Meeting House, being a member of the lunar society he has found advice, support, and finical backing for his experiments, with Watt and Darwin the first demonsatration of hydrogen and oxygen combining to give water has been carried out at one of the meetings of the lunar society, although the French chemist Laviosier also is claiming the credit, also on experiments with gas he managed to disolve fixed air (Carbon dioxide) recently discovered the the scotish chemist Joseph Black, in water creating soda water, which in 100 years time will be used by a Mr Bowler of Bath to found the soft drinks industry.

However the recent publication of The History of the Corruptions of Christianity (1782) and History of Early Opinions Concerning Jesus Christ (1786), in which Priestley has argued that the orginal christian doctorine has been corrupted over time, and rejecting idea's such as virgin birth. This has only served further to increase tensions between himself, the Church, and George III. Tragically the controversy about his views will come to a head when he expressed view's infavour of the French revolution. It will be claimed by his enemies, and rumors put about that he had demanded for the King's head on a plate, which where untrue, though a riot wiil ensue causeing much damage to Birmingham in which Priestley's house along with other building will beburnt to the ground (image to the right). After the riots he will briefly move to London then emigrate to America to spend his final years.

For more infomation on the 'Priestley Riots' and image of the riot see the excellent webpage: More about the Priestley riots