Preacher and teacher Born in Yorkshire in 1733, Joseph Priestley originally became a CLERGYMAN and language tutor. A friendship with American scientist Benjamin Franklin led Priestley to publish his opinion that new findings were more important than past beliefs.
In his experiment, using a burning lens, Priestley focused sunlight on mercuric oxide inside an inverted glass container.
The colourless gas released caused a flame to burn with more intensity, which led Priestley to investigate it further.
The British MINISTER who brought a breath of fresh air to experimental science
Foot on the gas On 1 August 1774, Priestley conducted an experiment using a chemical called mercuric oxide, and made his MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. He obtained a colourless gas, which later came to be known as oxygen. Priestley also isolated nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas.
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Benjamin Franklin inspired Priestley to pursue his interest in science.
Joseph Priestley
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