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Joseph Priestley FRS (/ˈpriːstli/;[2] 24 March [O.S. 13 March] 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an 18th-century English Separatist theologian, natural philosopher, chemist, innovative grammarian, multi-subject educator, and liberal political theorist who published over 150 works. He has historically been credited with the discovery of oxygen,[3] having isolated it in its gaseous state, although Carl Wilhelm Scheele and Antoine Lavoisier also have strong claims to the discovery.[4]
During his lifetime, Priestley's considerable scientific reputation rested on his invention of soda water, his writings on electricity, and his discovery of several "airs" (gases), the most famous being what Priestley dubbed "dephlogisticated air" (oxygen). However, Priestley's determination to defend phlogiston theory and to reject what would become the chemical revolution eventually left him isolated within the scientific community.
Priestley's science was integral to his theology, and he consistently tried to fuse Enlightenment rationalism with Christian theism.[5] In his metaphysical texts, Priestley attempted to combine theism, materialism, and determinism, a project that has been called "audacious and original".[6] He believed that a proper understanding of the natural world would promote human progress and eventually bring about the Christian millennium.[6] Priestley, who strongly believed in the free and open exchange of ideas, advocated toleration and equal rights for religious Dissenters, which also led him to help found Unitarianism in England. The controversial nature of Priestley's publications, combined with his outspoken support of the French Revolution, aroused public and governmental suspicion; he was eventually forced to flee in 1791, first to London and then to the United States, after a mob burned down his Birmingham home and church. He spent his last ten years in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
A scholar and teacher throughout his life, Priestley also made significant contributions to pedagogy, including the publication of a seminal work on English grammar and books on history, and he prepared some of the most influential early timelines. These educational writings were among Priestley's most popular works. It was his metaphysical works, however, that had the most lasting influence, being considered primary sources for utilitarianism by philosophers such as Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and Herbert Spencer.
During his lifetime, Priestley's considerable scientific reputation rested on his invention of soda water, his writings on electricity, and his discovery of several "airs" (gases), the most famous being what Priestley dubbed "dephlogisticated air" (oxygen). However, Priestley's determination to defend phlogiston theory and to reject what would become the chemical revolution eventually left him isolated within the scientific community.
Priestley's science was integral to his theology, and he consistently tried to fuse Enlightenment rationalism with Christian theism.[5] In his metaphysical texts, Priestley attempted to combine theism, materialism, and determinism, a project that has been called "audacious and original".[6] He believed that a proper understanding of the natural world would promote human progress and eventually bring about the Christian millennium.[6] Priestley, who strongly believed in the free and open exchange of ideas, advocated toleration and equal rights for religious Dissenters, which also led him to help found Unitarianism in England. The controversial nature of Priestley's publications, combined with his outspoken support of the French Revolution, aroused public and governmental suspicion; he was eventually forced to flee in 1791, first to London and then to the United States, after a mob burned down his Birmingham home and church. He spent his last ten years in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
A scholar and teacher throughout his life, Priestley also made significant contributions to pedagogy, including the publication of a seminal work on English grammar and books on history, and he prepared some of the most influential early timelines. These educational writings were among Priestley's most popular works. It was his metaphysical works, however, that had the most lasting influence, being considered primary sources for utilitarianism by philosophers such as Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and Herbert Spencer.
Joseph Priestley - Wikipedia
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The Mystery of Matter: “OUT OF THIN AIR” (Documentary)
One of science’s great odd couples — British minister Joseph Priestley and French tax administrator Antoine Lavoisier — together discover a fantastic new gas...
Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that March 13 is the anniversary of the birth of dissenting British minister Joseph Priestly who is author of Observations on Civil Liberty and the Nature and Justice of the War with America, discovered oxygen while serving as a tutor to the sons of American sympathizer William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, at Bowood House in Wiltshire, England.
The Mystery of Matter: “OUT OF THIN AIR” (Documentary)
https://youtu.be/z3Gt5IOjAuc?t=120
Background from http://famouschemists.org/joseph-priestley/
Born: Mar 24 [O.S. Mar 13], 1733 in Birstall, West Riding of Yorkshire
Died: Feb 6, 1804 (at age 70)
Nationality: English
Famous For: Invention of soda water, writings about electricty, discovery of gases (“airs”)
Joseph Priestley is best known for isolating and discovering oxygen, along with several other gases. He was a leading contemporary thinker and covered a lot of areas other than chemistry. This included electricity, magnetism, physics and optics. Earlier in his lifetime he had a considerable reputation for his writings on electricity and for discovering soda water. Priestly was a defender of the Phlogiston theory and was left isolated by the scientific community because he chose to reject what later became the chemical revolution.
Early Life
Priestly was born into a family that was known for being Dissenters. This meant that they did not conform to the Church of England. He studied in a local grammar school and was regarded as a brilliant student. Priestly excelled in most subjects, including physical sciences. His ill health forced him to return home from school after three years of studying. After his health improved he went on to study history, science and philosophy at Daventry Academy. Here, he read a book entitled Observations of Man, which was written by David Hartley. This book influenced his work and was the reason why he worked to further his education.
Discovery of Oxygen
In 1774, Priestly conducted an experiment which allowed him to isolate an air that was not yet studied. He was not able to completely study this new discovery because of his travels. Priestly repeated the experiment several times during that year. It was not until January of the following year when Priestly continued his experiments that he discovered “vitriolic acid air,” which is now known as Sulfer Dioxide. He replicated the experiment in front of other chemists, including the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier, who is known as the “father of modern chemistry.”
During the month of March, 1775, Priestly wrote to several people about his discovery of the new air he observed the previous year. His letters were read aloud during a meeting among the Royal Society. This was outlined in a paper that was entitled “An Account of Further Discoveries in Air.” He conducted several experiments with this new air using mice. He concluded that the mice were able to last longer in a tight-sealed container with this air. He believed that this air was superior to common atmospheric air. His discovery was later known as Oxygen gas. He later assembled a paper on his account of this gas which was published in 1776.
Chemical Revolution
Priestly was a firm believer in the Phlogiston theory, which is an obsolete scientific theory. It states that there is a fire-like element that was called “phlogiston” which is responsible for combustion and the rusting of metals. Although this theory was regarded as more of a principle during the 18th Century, Priestly was known to be one of the few who still used the term in his experiments. The chemical revolution was influenced by some of his experiments as well as those conducted by other scientists. The revolution did away with the theory of phlogiston, yet Priestly still rejected the new principles."
FYI LTC Bill Koski CW5 (Join to see) MSG Brad Sand SGM Steve Wettstein SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 John Miller SP5 Robert Ruck SPC (Join to see) PO3 Steven Sherrill SN Greg Wright SCPO Morris Ramsey TSgt Joe C. Cpl Joshua Caldwell SGT Michael Thorin SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley SPC Margaret Higgins
The Mystery of Matter: “OUT OF THIN AIR” (Documentary)
https://youtu.be/z3Gt5IOjAuc?t=120
Background from http://famouschemists.org/joseph-priestley/
Born: Mar 24 [O.S. Mar 13], 1733 in Birstall, West Riding of Yorkshire
Died: Feb 6, 1804 (at age 70)
Nationality: English
Famous For: Invention of soda water, writings about electricty, discovery of gases (“airs”)
Joseph Priestley is best known for isolating and discovering oxygen, along with several other gases. He was a leading contemporary thinker and covered a lot of areas other than chemistry. This included electricity, magnetism, physics and optics. Earlier in his lifetime he had a considerable reputation for his writings on electricity and for discovering soda water. Priestly was a defender of the Phlogiston theory and was left isolated by the scientific community because he chose to reject what later became the chemical revolution.
Early Life
Priestly was born into a family that was known for being Dissenters. This meant that they did not conform to the Church of England. He studied in a local grammar school and was regarded as a brilliant student. Priestly excelled in most subjects, including physical sciences. His ill health forced him to return home from school after three years of studying. After his health improved he went on to study history, science and philosophy at Daventry Academy. Here, he read a book entitled Observations of Man, which was written by David Hartley. This book influenced his work and was the reason why he worked to further his education.
Discovery of Oxygen
In 1774, Priestly conducted an experiment which allowed him to isolate an air that was not yet studied. He was not able to completely study this new discovery because of his travels. Priestly repeated the experiment several times during that year. It was not until January of the following year when Priestly continued his experiments that he discovered “vitriolic acid air,” which is now known as Sulfer Dioxide. He replicated the experiment in front of other chemists, including the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier, who is known as the “father of modern chemistry.”
During the month of March, 1775, Priestly wrote to several people about his discovery of the new air he observed the previous year. His letters were read aloud during a meeting among the Royal Society. This was outlined in a paper that was entitled “An Account of Further Discoveries in Air.” He conducted several experiments with this new air using mice. He concluded that the mice were able to last longer in a tight-sealed container with this air. He believed that this air was superior to common atmospheric air. His discovery was later known as Oxygen gas. He later assembled a paper on his account of this gas which was published in 1776.
Chemical Revolution
Priestly was a firm believer in the Phlogiston theory, which is an obsolete scientific theory. It states that there is a fire-like element that was called “phlogiston” which is responsible for combustion and the rusting of metals. Although this theory was regarded as more of a principle during the 18th Century, Priestly was known to be one of the few who still used the term in his experiments. The chemical revolution was influenced by some of his experiments as well as those conducted by other scientists. The revolution did away with the theory of phlogiston, yet Priestly still rejected the new principles."
FYI LTC Bill Koski CW5 (Join to see) MSG Brad Sand SGM Steve Wettstein SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 John Miller SP5 Robert Ruck SPC (Join to see) PO3 Steven Sherrill SN Greg Wright SCPO Morris Ramsey TSgt Joe C. Cpl Joshua Caldwell SGT Michael Thorin SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley SPC Margaret Higgins
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I live about a half an hour from Priestley's home in Northumberland, PA. Well worth a visit if you are ever in that area.
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