Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804 (theologian, natural philosopher and scientist)

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1733 - 1804

Biography

Joseph Priestley (1733-1804), theologian, natural philosopher and scientist, was born on 13 March 1733 at Birstall Fieldhead, West Riding of Yorkshire. Upon graduation from Daventry Academy in 1755 Priestley accepted the call to assist inthe dissenting chapel of Needham Market, Suffolk, and he was then appointed as minister to the dissenting chapel at Nantwich, Cheshire, in September 1758. He moved to Warrington Academy to take the tutorship in languages and belles-lettres in September 1761, and then to the dissenting congregation of Mill Hill Chapel in Leeds in 1767. He moved to Calne in 1773 to be a companion for Lord Shelburne. He and his wife moved to Pennsylvania in 1794 and became acquaintances of President Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Priestley died on 6 February 1804 in his Pennsylvania home.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Fonds

Joseph Priestley: Correspondence to John Wilkinson and Josiah Wedgwood, 1784-1791

Fonds

Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/1136-1137

Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.

Dates: 1784-1791

Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Found in: Cambridge University Library / Miscellaneous Accessions

File

Joseph Priestley: sermon 'The pleasure and advantages of a good conscience'

File

Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4243

Scope and Contents

Includes endorsements 'Leeds Nov. 17th 1771', 'Calne 1775', NMB [New Meeting Birmingham] ...1783.' Also includes letter, Swann Hurrell to Henry Bradshaw, 19 Nov. 1883, presenting sermon and two letters of Priestley, and a note of inscription on a silver inkstand presented to Priestley on his emigration to America in 1794 by 'some members of the University of Cambridge'.

Dates: 1771

Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Found in: Cambridge University Library

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