Joseph Priestley English chemist, philosopher, proponent of deism Date of Birth: 13.03.1733 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Joseph Priestley
2. Early Life and Education
3. Contributions to Science
4. Philosophical and Political Views
5. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley was an English chemist, philosopher, supporter of deism, theologian, dissenting clergyman, natural philosopher, educator, and political theorist. He published over 150 works and is renowned for his discoveries in chemistry, including the identification of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Priestley was born on March 13, 1733, in Fieldhead, near Leeds, England. His family faced financial difficulties and made the decision to send him to live with his aunt. Priestley showed a keen interest in science at a young age, demonstrating exceptional abilities. His aunt supported his education, hoping to make him a pastor. However, Joseph's religious views differed from those taught in the Anglican Church. As a result, he attended the Dissenting Academy in Daventry, where he became a dissenting clergyman with a background in philology and philosophy. Priestley mastered nine languages and, despite being a humanities scholar, began his preaching career among dissenting groups. He later opened his own private school but fully realized his pedagogical potential after joining the Warrington Academy in 1761.

Contributions to Science

Transitioning to the natural sciences, Priestley became acquainted with Benjamin Franklin, who supported his interest in electricity. In 1767, he published "The History and Present State of Electricity, with Original Experiments," which introduced the inverse-square law of electrical interaction. This publication led to his membership in the Royal Society of London. Priestley's scientific research focused mainly on gases, and in 1771, he discovered the process of photosynthesis. He found that "spoiled" air, contaminated through combustion or respiration, becomes breathable again when exposed to the green parts of plants, revealing the ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. He provided proof for this theory in 1778. Between 1772 and 1774, Priestley was the first to obtain "acid air" (hydrogen chloride) and "alkaline air" (ammonia). Alongside Antoine Lavoisier, Henry Cavendish, Carl Scheele, and other scientists, Priestley contributed significantly to demonstrating the complex composition of air. In 1774, he discovered oxygen by isolating it from mercury oxide, calling it "dephlogisticated air." Priestley also conducted research in optics and, in 1772, published "The History and Present State of Discoveries Relating to Vision, Light, and Colours."

Philosophical and Political Views

As a supporter of progressive philosophical and political ideas of the 18th century, Priestley actively advocated materialism while not rejecting deism. After the French Revolution, he fervently defended the people's right to fight against tyranny and became a member of the Society of the Friends of the Revolution, advocating for equality, brotherhood, freedom of conscience, and religious tolerance. Reactionaries developed a strong dislike for Priestley due to his support of revolutionary sentiments, and on July 14, 1791, a mob of fanatics burned down his home, destroying his laboratory and manuscripts. Joseph and his family narrowly escaped harm. The French raised funds to rebuild his house and laboratory, making him an honorary citizen of France in 1792. However, in 1794, Priestley decided to live in England, dedicating most of his time to literary work.

Later Life and Legacy

Joseph Priestley passed away on February 6, 1804, and was buried at the Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. Prior to his death, his son Henry had passed away in 1795, presumably from malaria. His wife, Mary Wilkinson, died in 1796, unable to recover from the shock of their son's death. In 1952, the Priestley Award was established at Dickinson College to recognize individuals who make discoveries that contribute to the well-being of humanity.