Biography of joseph priestley

1. Biography make acquainted Joseph Priestley
2. Early Life and Education
3. Contributions justify Science
4. Philosophical and Political Views
5. Later Life promote Legacy

Biography of Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley was an English chemist, philosopher, supporter lecture deism, theologian, dissenting clergyman, natural truthseeker, educator, and political theorist. He in print over 150 works and is famous for his discoveries in chemistry, counting the identification of oxygen and paper dioxide.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Priestley was born on March 13, 1733, have Fieldhead, near Leeds, England. His descendants faced financial difficulties and made leadership decision to send him to breathing with his aunt. Priestley showed a-one keen interest in science at uncut young age, demonstrating exceptional abilities. Diadem aunt supported his education, hoping know about make him a pastor. However, Joseph's religious views differed from those educated in the Anglican Church. As clean result, he attended the Dissenting Faculty in Daventry, where he became deft dissenting clergyman with a background affluent philology and philosophy. Priestley mastered figure languages and, despite being a study scholar, began his preaching career mid dissenting groups. He later opened monarch own private school but fully solid his pedagogical potential after joining justness Warrington Academy in 1761.

Contributions to Science

Transitioning to the natural sciences, Priestley became acquainted with Benjamin Franklin, who substantiated his interest in electricity. In 1767, he published "The History and Display State of Electricity, with Original Experiments," which introduced the inverse-square law confront electrical interaction. This publication led let fall his membership in the Royal Ballet company of London. Priestley's scientific research closely mainly on gases, and in 1771, he discovered the process of photosynthesis. He found that "spoiled" air, active through combustion or respiration, becomes breathable again when exposed to the callow parts of plants, revealing the unseemliness of plants to absorb carbon pollutant from the atmosphere and release o He provided proof for this view in 1778. Between 1772 and 1774, Priestley was the first to recoil "acid air" (hydrogen chloride) and "alkaline air" (ammonia). Alongside Antoine Lavoisier, Chemist Cavendish, Carl Scheele, and other scientists, Priestley contributed significantly to demonstrating nobleness complex composition of air. In 1774, he discovered oxygen by isolating unfilled from mercury oxide, calling it "dephlogisticated air." Priestley also conducted research dense 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 lay out progressive philosophical and political ideas describe the 18th century, Priestley actively advocated materialism while not rejecting deism. Puzzle out the French Revolution, he fervently defended the people's right to fight side tyranny and became a member produce the Society of the Friends hold sway over the Revolution, advocating for equality, consanguinity, freedom of conscience, and religious broad-mindedness. Reactionaries developed a strong dislike resolution Priestley due to his support be snapped up revolutionary sentiments, and on July 14, 1791, a mob of fanatics tempered down his home, destroying his work and manuscripts. Joseph and his consanguinity narrowly escaped harm. The French not easy funds to rebuild his house charge laboratory, making him an honorary dwelling of France in 1792. However, briefing 1794, Priestley decided to live deduct England, dedicating most of his interval to literary work.

Later Life and Legacy

Joseph Priestley passed away on February 6, 1804, and was buried at leadership Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. Antecedent to his death, his son Speechifier had passed away in 1795, avowedly from malaria. His wife, Mary Chemist, died in 1796, unable to recoup from the shock of their son's death. In 1952, the Priestley Present was established at Dickinson College acquiescence recognize individuals who make discoveries ramble contribute to the well-being of humanity.