Priestley papers
Date
1864
Creator
James Yates (1789 - 1871, British) , Minister
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (object): 610mm
width (object): 490mm
depth (object): 50mm
width (object): 490mm
depth (object): 50mm
Subject
Description
The outer binding of The Priestley papers, a volume containing portraits, drawings, letters and other memorials of Joseph Priestley, curated and edited by James Yates.
The volume is bound in blue leather. It is adorned with a gold leaf design around the edges, a Wedgewood miniature of Priestley in the centre, and three commemorative medals above and below this. The top two are silver, inscribed 'JOSEPHUS PRIESTLEY', both made by Phipson; while the bottom two are copies of the same bronze medal, with one side listing the various academies and societies to which Priestley belonged.
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) British theologian and natural philosopher was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
James Yates (1789-1871) British Unitarian minister and scholar was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. Though he never met Priestley personally, Yates knew many of his relatives, friends and pupils, and spent much of his career documenting his discoveries and writings.
The volume is bound in blue leather. It is adorned with a gold leaf design around the edges, a Wedgewood miniature of Priestley in the centre, and three commemorative medals above and below this. The top two are silver, inscribed 'JOSEPHUS PRIESTLEY', both made by Phipson; while the bottom two are copies of the same bronze medal, with one side listing the various academies and societies to which Priestley belonged.
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) British theologian and natural philosopher was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
James Yates (1789-1871) British Unitarian minister and scholar was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. Though he never met Priestley personally, Yates knew many of his relatives, friends and pupils, and spent much of his career documenting his discoveries and writings.
Object history
During the planning of the new University Museum of Oxford in 1856, it was decided to commission several statues of famous scientists. One of these was to be of Priestley, and James Yates was invited to oversee its conception. In his own words, 'it became necessary to obtain the best portraits, busts and bas-reliefs to assist the sculptor in making a good likeness.' He also acquired reports of personal experiences and anecdotes from people who knew Priestley, and in 1864 assembled all of this material into this volume.
This volume was presented to the Royal Society in 1957 by the Priestley family.
This volume was presented to the Royal Society in 1957 by the Priestley family.
Related fellows
James Yates (1789 - 1871, British) , Minister
Associated place