On This Day

English chemist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen by isolating it in its gaseous state

Joseph Priestley (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political...

Joseph Priestley (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political theorist. He published over 150 works, and conducted experiments in several areas of science.

Priestley is credited with his independent discovery of oxygen by the thermal decomposition of mercuric oxide, having isolated it in 1774. During his lifetime, Priestley's considerable scientific reputation rested on his invention of carbonated water, his writings on electricity, and his discovery of several "airs" (gases), the most famous being what Priestley dubbed "dephlogisticated air" (oxygen).

Historical Significance

Joseph Priestley (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political theorist.

Key People

Joseph Priestley

chemist and polymath

English chemist and polymath

Events Before

  1. Captain James Cook becomes the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle (66°33′ S)

    Captain James Cook (7 November 1728 – 14 February 1779) was a British Royal Navy officer, explorer, and cartographer who led three voyages of exploration to the Pacific and Southern Oceans between...

  2. Spanish painter Francisco Goya marries Josefa Bayeu in Madrid

    Spanish painter Francisco Goya marries Josefa Bayeu in Madrid

  3. American revolution patriot Paul Revere (38) weds Rachel Walker in Boston, Massachusetts

    American revolution patriot Paul Revere (38) weds Rachel Walker in Boston, Massachusetts

  4. American seamstress Elizabeth Griscom (Betsy Ross) weds American upholster John Ross at Huggs Tavern in Gloucester City,

    American seamstress Elizabeth Griscom (Betsy Ross) weds American upholster John Ross at Huggs Tavern in Gloucester City, New Jersey

  5. Boston Tea Party incident – Sons of Liberty protesters throw tea shipments into Boston Harbor to protest the British-imp

    Boston Tea Party incident – Sons of Liberty protesters throw tea shipments into Boston Harbor to protest the British-imposed Tea Act and escalating taxation without representation in the British Parliament

Events After

  1. British Parliament declares Massachusetts Colony in rebellion

    British Parliament declares Massachusetts Colony in rebellion

  2. Patrick Henry proclaims "Give me liberty or give me death" in a speech encouraging Virginia troops to join the American

    Patrick Henry proclaims "Give me liberty or give me death" in a speech encouraging Virginia troops to join the American Revolutionary War

  3. Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott ride from Charlestown to Lexington warning "the regulars are coming out!"

    Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott ride from Charlestown to Lexington warning "the regulars are coming out!" [1]

  4. American Revolution begins in Lexington, Massachusetts, with the "Shot Heard Round the World" fired later that day in Co

    American Revolution begins in Lexington, Massachusetts, with the "Shot Heard Round the World" fired later that day in Concord

  5. Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, issuing paper currency for the first time

    The Second Continental Congress (1775–1781) was the meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American Revolution and Revolutionary War, which established American…

More from the 1770s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 1, 1774?
Joseph Priestley (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political theorist. He published over 150 works, and conducted experiments in several areas of science. Priestley is credited with his independent discovery of oxygen by the thermal decomposition of mercuric oxide, having isolated it in 1774.
Why is English chemist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen by isolating it in its gase... significant?
Joseph Priestley (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political theorist.
Who was involved in English chemist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen by isolating it in its gase...?
Key figures include Joseph Priestley (chemist and polymath).

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