The man in the market place.

I often drive through the little town of Birstall.
One of those small Yorkshire, West Riding, towns which is often forgotten about.
In the market square there is a statue to a man many local people don't even know about.
Joseph Priestley. 
Born in Birstall at Fieldhead house in 1733.
The house is no longer, but there is still a road called Fieldhead Lane.
You may be wondering who was, this man, who was educated to be a minister, and spent most of his life employed as a teacher and preacher.
Well the reason for the statue, and why he is remembered in his birthplace, is because it was he who discovered the gas that would later be named " Oxygen".

He had strong views about Christianity, and became an early Unitarian.
He supported both the French and American Revolutions. 
After his house was burnt down by rioters who were against the French Revolution, Priestley, and his beliefs, he emigrated with his family to the United States.
He died in 1804 , aged 70 and was buried at Riverview Cemetry in Northumberland, Pennsylvania.

If you want to know any more about his fascinating life see here.
Also,extra close up photo of the statue.

One of his quotes is:
" The more elaborate our means of communication the less we communicate."

I wonder what he would make of today's communication technology!