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Administered by the
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Edward G. Rendell, Governor
Wayne Spilove, Chairman
Barbara Franco, Executive Director
With support from the
Friends of Joseph Priestley House
When Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) is remembered today, it's usually for his 1774 discovery, in England, of oxygen. Few know he was a noted theologian, political progressive, and prolific author whose scientific contributions include the development of the carbonation process, the identification of carbon monoxide, and early experiments in electricity. He counted Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Watt among his friends. Yet Priestley was also a controversial figure whose views were so odious to some of his countrymen that his house, Fair Hill in Birmingham, was burned in a riot, and he and his family left England. Priestley spent the last ten years of his life in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, where he continued his work in science, religion, and education. But even in this democratic republic his liberal ideas were frequently received with intolerance, and the peace that he so ardently desired was often elusive. Read the full article.
Joseph Priestley House is an historic site that preserves and interprets the contributions and significance to American history of Joseph Priestley, noted English theologian, educator, natural philosopher and political theorist.
As a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Chemical Landmark, the site features Priestley's manor house with its laboratory wing situated along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River at Northumberland, Pennsylvania - the small town Priestley called home from 1794-1804.
Click here to read a selection of quotations by and about Joseph Priestley
compiled by Derek A. Davenport, Department of Chemistry, Purdue University.
Images courtesy of Joseph Priestley House and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission unless otherwise noted.