Memorandum concerning Joseph Priestley

Abstract

A previously unpublished memorandum on the life of Dr. Joseph Priestley written by Priestley’s former student, Benjamin Vaughan. Vaughan, who participated in the negotiations of the Treaty of Paris and served as a member of parliament, recounts the academic accomplishments, research interests and character of one of England’s most famous eighteenth-century polymaths. Vaughan’s reflections provide a first-hand account of the personal nature of Priestley, who helped fuel the scientific discoveries of the Enlightenment, including experiments that led to the discovery of oxygen. The original manuscript is available in the Benjamin Vaughan papers at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia.