What is joseph priestley famous for

The DNB section on his scientific achievements appears in a separate section on this site. Please notify the webmaster if you encounter typographical errors. Joseph Priestley by Ellen Sharples. Click on image to enlarge it.

Joseph priestley wife

A lithograph of his birth place removed in was executed by Hanhart in His father became bankrupt in Timothy Priestley was a younger brother. His parents were members of the congregational church at Upper Chapel, Heckmondwike; but bis grandfather, Joseph Priestley , a woollen manufacturer, attended the parish church at Birstall. Joseph was taught by his mother the Westminster catechism, which he could repeat at four years of age.

From he was adopted by his father's eldest sister, Sarah d. Keighleywasa man of substance. In early life a strong opponent of dissent , he was brought round by a sermon he had at tended with a view to a prosecution. His wife entertained all dissenting ministers in the neighbourhood, and though a strong Calvinist made honest heretics very welcome.

Priestley described her in as ' in all respects as perfect a human character as I have yet been acquainted with' Works , iii.

Joseph priestley family

At Batley grammar school from he was well grounded in Latin; began Greek, learned the shorthand invented by Peter Annet , wrote to Annet suggesting improvements, and sent some commendatory verses, which Annet prefixed to a new edition. Subsequently he became a pupil of John Kirkby , congregational minister of Upper Chapel, Heckmond wike, who had previously taught him Hebrew 'on holidays.

At the age of eleven, his brother tells us, he bottled up spiders to see how long they would live without fresh air.