By Wayne Laepple
NORTHUMBERLAND — The Rev. Dr. Joseph Priestley may have been one of the most brilliant men to emigrate to America. His influence still resonates today, 235 years after he discovered oxygen, even as the state plans to shutter the museum at the Northumberland home where the renowned scientist and theologian lived out his final days.
The state Historical and Museum Commission’s March 18 announcement is being greeted by dismay from the scientific and historical communities, as well as from members of the Unitarian Universalist faith, which was founded on Priestley’s views.
That Priestley’s Northumberland home, a state historic site, may be closed because of Pennsylvania’s budget crunch is drawing concern and support from across the spectrum.
“He was an incredible thinker,” said the Rev. Barry Stopfel, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley. “He was committed to free inquiry of science and religion, and today we continue with his belief that one must continually observe and critique the great ideas of our time. ... To think this all happened right here in Northumberland.”
Thomas H. Lane, president of the American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., lauded Priestley’s scientific mind.
“The closure of the Priestley House would rob future generations of the opportunity to appreciate first hand the enormous achievements and life of one of humanity’s greatest scientists,” he said.
Early in his life, Priestley was a victim of religious discrimination in England. He grew up a Calvinist, and because he was not a member of the Church of England, he was barred from studying at Oxford or Cambridge. That experience moved him toward the thought that one’s religious beliefs and educational choices should not be determined by the government.
Priestley believed that everyone was equal in the eyes of God, expressing his egalitarian belief thusly: “Every man, when he comes to be sensible of his own natural rights, and to feel his own importance, will consider himself as fully equal to any other person whatever.”
Those ideas, later distilled and expanded upon in his writings, formed the basis for the separation of church and state enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. In fact, Priestley maintained active correspondence with Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, all of whom had a hand in writing the Declaration.
Priestley came to Northumberland in 1794, after his support of the French Revolution — not to mention his earlier support of the American Revolution and his dissenting religious views — made his life in England miserable. His home and library in Birmingham were burned by a mob, and he and his family had to flee for their lives.
At the same time he was formulating his political philosophy, Priestley’s religious views were becoming more liberal. He believed that religious dogma must be questioned because in England, belief had become corrupted by politics. Priestley’s beliefs were based on a deep desire to retain the essential truth of the Christian faith.
He was also known in his own time as a pioneering scientist, although he considered his scientific work as secondary to his religious and philosophical studies. He studied science because he believed understanding the natural world could bring material progress to mankind.
His scientific interests ranged from electricity to optics, and he later undertook a lengthy study of gases, during which he discovered how carbonation works and developed carbonated water, used today to make all kinds of sodas. He also performed a succession of experiments with air, isolating oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
After his death, Priestley’s scientific, theological and philosophical writings were collected and published, filling 26 volumes. He thought and wrote on a wide range of subjects, including grammar, the history of Christianity, political theory, electricity, biology and chemistry.
Priestley was a giant in the field of chemistry, according to Lane. He wrote a letter to the executive director of the state Historical and Museum Commission opposing the closing of the Priestley House.
“He is the namesake of the medal that ACS bestows for outstanding achievements in the field of chemistry, the Priestley Medal,” Lane wrote. “His home has been called the Mecca for all who look back to the beginnings of chemical research.”
The Rev. Dr. Richard Speck, executive director of the Joseph Priestley District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Wilmington, Del., said Priestley’s philosophical and theological thought is the underpinning of the faith’s belief.
“His ideas of liberty, freedom of thought and freedom of belief are keys to our denomination,” Speck said.
Priestley tried to separate true spirituality from man made religion, with no adherence to specific texts, rituals and doctrines. He believed religious belief was completely up to the individual and held no particular religious text to be most sacred, correct or authoritative.
Stopfel said maintaining Priestley’s home in Northumberland is important to members of the Unitarian Universalist faith.
-- E-mail comments to wlaepple@dailyitem.com.
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Meeting tonight
What: A public meeting on the proposed closing of the Joseph Priestley House.
When: 7 tonight.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley, 265 Point Township Boulevard (Route 11).
And: The state is targeting the Priestley House for closure because of low visitation and limited growth potential. During 2007-2008, there were 1,100 paid admissions, generating $4,125 in revenue. An additional 2,406 recreational and nonpaying visitors were recorded. The operating budget for 2006-2007 was $142,901, which includes the salaries and benefits for two full-time employees.
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About the Rev. Dr. Joseph Priestley
Born: March 3, 1733, Birstal, Yorkshire, England
Died: Feb. 6, 1804, Northumberland. Buried in Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland.
Quote: “Like its politicians and its wars, society has the teenagers it deserves.”
1762: While teaching himself to draw, he discovered India rubber would erase pencil marks; thus the invention of the eraser.
1766: After meeting Benjamin Franklin in London, Priestley began a series of experiments with electricity and published his findings.
Quote: “It is no use speaking in soft, gentle tones if everyone else is shouting.”
1767: Began a lengthy series of experiments on various gases, leading to his discovery of carbonation of water and the invention of soda water.
1774: His continuing investigation of the properties of gases led to his discovery of “good air,” known as oxygen.
Quote: “The truth can never have a fine chance of being discussed or propagated without the most perfect freedom of inquiry and debate.”
1794: Left England after his support of the French Revolution and opposition to the Church of England led to his home and library being burned by a mob. He continued to teach and write and perform scientific experiments, including isolating carbon monoxide, until his death in 1804.
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