Priestly, Joseph

Name:
Priestly, Joseph
Detailed information:
(1733–1804). Born near Leeds, England, Priestley originally planned to enter the ministry. As a youth he became interested in both physics and chemistry, and his research soon established his position as a scientist. He was elected to the Royal Society in 1766. He discovered nitrous oxide in 1772, but his greatest contribution to science was his discovery of oxygen in 1774. He emigrated from England to Northumberland, PA, where he lived from 1784 to his death. His research in America resulted in the discovery of carbon monoxide (1799).