Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions
The Priestley Award was established by Dickinson College in honor and memory of Joseph Priestley, the eighteenth century scientist and theologian best known as the discoverer of oxygen. Every year the award is presented to a distinguished scientist for his or her discoveries or contributions to...
Location: RG 9/2
Subject: Dickinson College Events, Education, Science and Technology
Format: Broadsides and Posters, Financial Documents, Letters/Correspondence, Memorabilia and Ephemera
Collection Inventory: 
RG 9/2 - Joseph Priestley Award Papers
This collection includes letters, documents, clippings, pamphlets, and photographs relating to Joseph Priestley and his descendants. It was presented to the college by Mrs. Temple Fay.
Location: MC 1998.1
Subject: Health and Medicine, Politics and Government, Science and Technology
Format: Artifacts and Objects, Engravings and Illustrations, Essays and Dissertations, Letters/Correspondence, Newspapers and Magazines, Photographs, Scrapbooks
Time Period: Before 1760, 1760-1779, 1780-1799, 1800-1819, 1820-1839, 1840-1859, 1860-1879, 1880-1899, 1900-1919, 1920-1939, 1940-1959, 1960-1979
Collection Inventory: mc1998.01.pdf
Collection Inventory: Priestley Family Collection Pamphlet
This collection includes articles, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, and programs about Joseph Priestley and related topics. Also included in the collection are genealogical materials - correspondence, notes, charts - collected by Priestley family members
Location: MC 2003.8
Subject: Genealogy and Family History, Literary Pursuits, Religion and Spirituality, Science and Technology
Format: Books and Pamphlets, Essays and Dissertations, Letters/Correspondence, Maps and Diagrams, Memorabilia and Ephemera, Newspapers and Magazines
Time Period: 1820-1839, 1840-1859, 1860-1879, 1880-1899, 1900-1919, 1920-1939, 1940-1959, 1960-1979, 1980-1999
Collection Inventory: mc2003.08.pdf
Joseph Priestley writes to John Seddon regarding Seddon's invitation to Liverpool, recent books, work, and news regarding lectures at the Academy. Transcript included.
Location: I-BeachW-1966-1
Subject: Education, Religion and Spirituality, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1760-1779
Joseph Priestley writes to John Seddon, the secretary and librarian of Warrington Academy, regarding a divinity tutor at Warrington and new students.
Location: I-BeachW-1982-2
Subject: Education, Religion and Spirituality
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1760-1779
Joseph Priestley writes to the Duke of Northumberland, Hugh Percy, and asks for the Duke's patronage in order to write a history of experimental philosophy, continuing his previous work. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Politics and Government, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1760-1779
Joseph Priestley writes to Anna L. Aikin of Warrington Academy about her poetry on Corsica for James Boswell and Samuel Johnson. Priestley also provides Aikin with an update on his own writing. "My piece on Perspective is nearly ready for the press," as Priestley explains. Aikin, as Anna...
Location: I-Friends-2010-1
Subject: Literary Pursuits
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1760-1779
Joseph Priestley writes to Jeremy Bentham, returning a friend's paper and alerting Bentham that he will be in the country for a month. Transcript included.
Location: I-SpahrB-1964-12
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1760-1779
Joseph Priestley provides Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, with a list of errors in his paper for the Transactions and asks him to correct the "important" ones before it is printed. Priestley also reports that he is "busy...
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-2
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks for 50 copies of his paper printed and stitched in blue cloth. In addition, Priestley requests that one copy be sent to Henry Cavendish. Priestley also discusses the election to the Societe Royale de...
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-4
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks him to “lay before the Royal Society Mr. [Abraham] Bennet's account of his Electrometer.” Priestley explains that “the value” of Bennet's electrometer “exceeds anything that I have seen of the kind.”
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-3
Subject: Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Scientist, clergyman, and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Charles Brian Blagden, asking for an insertion to his paper that was read to the Lunar Society. Priestley also notes how he wants "a stronger burning lens." Sir Charles Blagden is Secretary of the Royal Society. Transcript included...
Location: I-Friends-1986-12
Subject: Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes to Rev. William Frend about various publications that he is interested in as well as "the difficulties" involved in translating works to produce "an improved and improvable...
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Matthew Boulton provides an account of the Birmingham riots in England and the destruction of property, including Joseph Priestley's house. The recipient's identity is unknown. Transcript included.
Location: I-Purchase-1960-5
Subject: International Affairs, Land and Real Estate, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes an unknown recipient and notes that he has enclosed "two copies of my Paper for the Philosophical Transactions." In addition, Priestley requests a "fresh stock of retorts,...
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes to Thomas Wedgwood about supplies for the laboratory that Priestley is building after his previous one was destroyed and discusses invitations to move from England to France. Wedgwood's family operated the Etruria Works ceramics factory. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Dr. Joseph Priestley writes to Rev. John Edwards and discusses their recent publications as well as a publication that they are both working on. "I have read 40 pages of your fourth no., and am surprised that any person should object to its publication," as Priestley explains. Transcript...
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Sarah Vaughan writes to Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, introducing her to Mrs. Joseph Priestley and hoping that she will "be so kind when opportunity offers to introduce her to some of [Bache's] friends..."
Location: I-Original-1793-2
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Theologian and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to his friend Theophilus Lindsey. Priestley discusses his recent move to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, trouble with the mail, the local climate, the prospect for building, his work, the French Revolution, and the cause of Unitarianism. Transcript...
Location: I-BeachW-undated-1
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality, Weather and Climate
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes eight letters to William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, that mostly regard the political state of affairs in America and Europe, particularly the French Revolution. "The revolutionists of France first encouraged the people to despise...
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F9-11
Subject: Health and Medicine, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Dr. Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton regarding Antiphlogistion enemies, a yellow fever outbreak, and scientist Dr. John Maclean. "I wish that you would give me any information that you may get of the notions of my Antiphlogistion enemies," as Priestley explains. Priestley...
Location: I-BeachW-1975-10
Subject: Health and Medicine, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes to George Thatcher regarding news from England, where Priestley expects revolution: "The unanimity you speak of in this country does not exist in this neighborhood. The Gentry, indeed, are generally with you, but the lower classes, those who must take the field, had...
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-26
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Secretary of State Timothy Pickering writes Charles Hall of Sunbury regarding Joseph Priestley's "unpardonable" conduct and the receipt of "Mr. [Thomas] Cooper's mischievous address." Pickering notes his opposition to their "meddling with our government." Cooper had published material in which...
Location: I-WilliamsC-1956-9
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley writes to Samuel Latham Mitchell and invites him to come visit at Northumberland as well as asks about a package that was supposed to have been sent. Priestley also promises to "draw up an account of other experiments" and send them to Mitchell. Transcript included.
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Science and Technology
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1780-1799
Joseph Priestley offers the Rev. Mr. Kell a horse for him to ride to Cradley. Priestley also includes 7 lines of text written in Annet's Shorthand.
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-1
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Time Period: 1800-1819
