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Joseph Priestley Biography: Joseph Priestly was an English unitarian, chemist, natural philosopher, separatist theologian and grammarian. He has authored nearly 150 publications and is credited with his independent discovery of Oxygen and 10 other chemicals. He has significantly contributed to the fields of experimental chemistry and is a well-known personality for his work in electricity, theology and liberal political thought. He faced many oppositions like violent protests and exile, yet continued to be productive and contribute to the fields of his interest. In this blog, we will walk through the biography of Joseph Priestly and get to know him better.
Table of Contents
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Joseph Priestley |
| Birth Date | March 13, 1733 |
| Birthplace | Birstall Fieldhead, England |
| Death Date | February 6, 1804 |
| Death Place | Northumberland, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Profession | Scientist, Philosopher, Theologian, Clergyman |
| Contributions | Chemistry of gases, Electricity, Theology |
| Discoveries | Oxygen, Soda Water, Various Gases |
| Spouse | Mary Wilkinson |
| Children | One daughter, three sons |
Joseph Priestly – Early Life and Education
Joseph Priestley was born on March 13, 1733, in Birstall Fieldhead, England. His parents were Mary Swift and Jonas Priestley. He belonged to a family of textile business, but soon after his parents died, he spent his childhood with his uncle.
- He was home-schooled since childhood but had exposure to a wide horizon of knowledge.
- From a very young age, he exhibited exceptional intelligence and became a master of mathematics, logic, natural philosophy and metaphysics.
- He knew more than six languages including Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
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Joseph Priestly – Achievements and Contributions
The achievements and contributions of Joseph Priestley are tremendous in the field of science. Before his experiments, it was believed that the air only consisted of two gases- carbon dioxide and hydrogen. However, Priestly had different visions.
- Joseph Priestly discovered ten additional gases – oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.
- He called the discovery of oxygen as “dephlogisticated air”.
- He also invented soda water.
In addition to his work with games, he also contributed to the study of electricity. He was encouraged by his friend Benjamin Franklin, to publish his findings in “The History and Present State of Electricity” in 1767. His experiments led to –
- Discover the conductive properties of charcoal
- The relationship between electricity and chemical change.
Joseph Priestly was also a renowned author and expressed vis his writing the theological, philosophical and political essays. His views on “rational Christianity” and “Laissez-faire economics” also raised questions.
| Major Contributions | Details |
| Chemistry of Gases | Discovered oxygen and nine other gases |
| Electricity | Relationship between electricity and chemical change. |
| Inventions | Soda water, Eudiometer |
| Theological Works | Advocated rational Christianity |
| Political Writings | Supported Laissez-Faire Economics |
| Publications | Over 150 essays and papers |
Also Read – Famous Women Scientists Who Changed the World
Famous Works of Joseph Priestly
As a distinguished writer and publisher, his work in discoveries is highly acknowledged by many. Some of his selected works are –
| Works | Year |
| The Rudiments of English Grammar | 1761 |
| Essay on a Course of Liberal Education for Civil and Active Life | 1765 |
| Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air | 1774-1777 |
| Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever | 1780 |
| Theological Repository | 1770-73, 1784-88 |
Also Read – Indian Scientists Who Changed the World
Later Life and Death of Joseph Priestly
In 1794, he moved to New York because of increasing political pressure and hostility in England. He settled in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, where he continued his work in science and philosophy. He took his last breath on 6th February 1804, aged 70. Priestley was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland, leaving behind a legacy of scientific and intellectual achievement.
| Later Life | Details |
| Exile to the U.S. | Fled to the U.S. in 1794 due to political unrest |
| Death | February 6, 1804, Northumberland, Pennsylvania |
| Burial | Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland |
FAQs
Priestley (1733-1804) was very productive in his research and well-known in philosophy. He created carbonated water and the rubber eraser, discovered 10 important chemical compounds, and wrote an early paper on electricity.
The scientist who discovered gases is Joseph Priestly.
The man behind the discovery of oxygen and the chemical revolution is Joseph Priestley.
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