ENGLISH
MEN OF SCIENCE
EDITED BY
J. REYNOLDS GREEN, D.Sc.
JOSEPH PRIESTLEY
All Rights Reserved
J Priestley
JOSEPH PRIESTLEY
BY
T. E. THORPE, F.R.S.
AUTHOR OF
HUMPHRY DAVY, POET AND PHILOSOPHER
ETC., ETC.
PUBLISHED IN LONDON BY
J. M. DENT & CO., AND IN NEW
YORK BY E. P. DUTTON & CO.
1906
PREFACE
In the following account of the life and work of that“hero and type of the intellectual energy of theeighteenth century”—the “honest heretic”—JosephPriestley, I have, to a considerable extent, made thesubject of it tell his own story. After Priestley’s deaththere was found among his papers a short autobiography,dealing with the main events of his life upto the time of his settlement in America. This wassubsequently published, with additions and explanatorynotes, by his eldest son. Of this biography I havemade full use, considering it, of course, as the bestauthority on the matters to which it refers.
For the account of the Warrington Academy, withwhich institution Priestley was connected for some years,and which connection profoundly affected his career, Iam mainly indebted to Mr Henry A. Bright’s paper inthe Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire andCheshire, 1858-59.
The Yates papers in the possession of the RoyalSociety have also afforded me much assistance, and havebeen freely drawn upon.
I am also indebted to the late Mr Henry CarringtonBolton’s collection for certain letters and for informationconcerning the Lunar Society of Birmingham.
For the graphic account of the Birmingham Riots of1791, when Priestley’s house was wrecked, and hislibrary and laboratory destroyed, as described by aneye-witness, Miss Martha Russell, I have to expressmy obligations to her relative, Dr W. J. Russell, whofirst made me acquainted with her narrative. I am alsoindebted to Dr Russell for a copy of the print fromwhich has been prepared the illustration showing thedestruction of Priestley’s house.
I desire also to acknowledge my indebtedness to DrAikin for permission to publish certain of Priestley’sletters to his distinguished connection, Mrs Barbauld.
I am further under obligations to Lady Priestley,Lady Roscoe and Mr Sydney Lupton for much usefulassistance.
The portrait of Priestley, which forms the frontispiece,has been reproduced in photogravure from thepainting by Artaud, now in Dr Williams’ TheologicalLibrary in Gordon Square. I have to thank theTrustees of the Library for their kindness in allowingthe copy to be made.
T. E. T.
London: May 1906.
CONTENTS
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