Memoirs of Dr. Joseph Priestley : To the year 1795, written by himself: with a continuation, to the time of his decease, by his son, Joseph Priestley: and observations on his writings, by Thomas Cooper, President Judge of the 4th. district of Pennsylvania: and the Rev. William Christie.

A vivid, first‑person chronicle unfolds the life of one of the most restless minds of the Enlightenment. From his early days in England, through groundbreaking experiments that revealed new gases, to his bold forays into philosophy and theology, the narrative captures a restless curiosity that reshaped chemistry and challenged prevailing thought. The memoir’s straightforward style lets the reader feel the excitement of discovery as the author records his own triumphs and setbacks in real time.

Beyond the laboratory, the story delves into the fierce opposition he faced—religious controversy, political hostility, and personal hardship—all met with an unshakable belief in a benevolent, rational deity. His son’s continuation carries the tale onward, while scholarly notes illuminate the broader impact of his work. Together they offer a portrait of a man whose conviction and optimism guided him through relentless criticism, making his journey both historically significant and deeply human.