Joseph Priestley
Experimental chemist and polymath whose work ranged across gases, electricity, optics, matter, education and the history of science.
Explore contributionThe Priestley catalogue
A name. Many contributions.
Scientists, physicians, mathematicians, explorers, educators, inventors and creators. Discover the people and follow their work.
Briggs Priestley
Bradford textile manufacturer, civic figure and Liberal Member of Parliament. His career connects the Priestley name with the industrial and public life of nineteenth-century Yorkshire.
Explore contributionJonathan Priestley
Headmaster of Green Lane School in Bradford and father of J. B. Priestley. He administered the pioneering school-feeding service at the school, alongside the wider Bradford campaign that helped shape the national school-meals system.
Explore contributionJ. B. Priestley
John Boynton Priestley, Bradford writer, playwright, broadcaster and public intellectual. His work connected social conditions, civic responsibility and public culture; the University of Bradford preserves a major archive of his papers and creative work.
Explore contributionSir William Overend Priestley
Obstetric physician and teacher who became lecturer in midwifery at Middlesex Hospital in 1858 and professor of obstetric medicine at King’s College London in 1865. His publications examined pregnancy, intra-uterine death and obstetric pathology.
Explore contributionSir William Edwin Briggs Priestley
Bradford manufacturer, mayor and Liberal Member of Parliament, whose public service belongs to the city’s history of civic welfare and provision for children.
Explore contributionJohn Gillies Priestley
British physiologist whose work with J. S. Haldane helped establish the relationship between carbon dioxide concentration and lung ventilation.
Explore contributionJoseph Hubert Priestley
British botanist and plant biochemist known for research on photosynthesis, plant morphology and apical meristems.
Explore contributionAlistair J. Priestley
Plant-science researcher and co-author of the 1998 Royal Society paper The control of specificity in guard cell signal transduction. The study examined how guard cells distinguish and coordinate signals that regulate stomatal movement, linking cellular signalling with plant gas exchange and water balance.
Explore contributionHenry Priestley
Australian biochemist and foundation Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Sydney; also worked in bacteriology and physiological chemistry.
Explore contributionRaymond Edward Priestley
Geologist and Antarctic explorer associated with the Terra Nova Expedition, Antarctic field science and later university leadership in science and higher education.
Explore contributionRodney Dewayne Priestley
Chemical engineer and Princeton professor researching polymers, interfaces, nanocomposites and materials for electronic and healthcare applications.
Explore contributionRebecca Priestley
Researcher and author working across science communication, public engagement, environmental studies and histories of science.
Explore contributionJ. V. Priestley
Neuroscientist whose published work includes research on nociceptive neurons and nerve-growth-factor signalling.
Explore contributionMatthew Priestley
Researcher associated with work on climate dynamics and extratropical storm tracks.
Explore contributionCharles H. B. Priestley
Scientist associated with the Priestley–Taylor model, a major reference model for estimating evaporation and evapotranspiration.
Explore contributionHilary Ann Priestley
Oxford mathematician whose work on ordered topological spaces and distributive lattices led to Priestley spaces and Priestley duality.
Explore contributionRick Priestley
Miniature-wargame designer and writer, and one of the original designers of Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000. His contribution spans game systems, collaborative worldbuilding and a global creative community.
Explore contributionWendy Priestley Houghton
Geologist. Descendant of Joseph Priestley.
Explore contributionNigel Priestley
Michael John Nigel Priestley advanced the seismic design and strengthening of concrete structures and bridges. His research helped shape practical methods for reducing earthquake damage.
Explore contributionKeith Ferrin Priestley
Cambridge seismologist researching the structure and mechanical behaviour of Earth’s crust and upper mantle, using seismic observations to investigate the planet’s interior.
Explore contributionMark Priestley · education
Professor of Education at the University of Stirling whose research examines curriculum policy, curriculum making and the professional work of teachers.
Explore contributionMark Priestley · social policy
Professor emeritus at the University of Leeds, researching disability, welfare states and European social and public policy.
Explore contributionDaniel Priestley
Entrepreneur, author and speaker on business growth and entrepreneurship. His work includes Dent Global and the Key Person of Influence community.
Explore contributionJason Priestley
Actor and director widely known for Beverly Hills, 90210, with a long career in television and a large international audience.
Explore contributionBel Priestley
Actor and digital creator known for playing Naomi in Heartstopper, with a substantial audience across Instagram and TikTok.
Explore contributionChris Priestley · photography
Photographer and creator sharing photographic techniques, visual experiments and creative challenges with a large online audience.
Explore contributionMarc “Elvis” Priestley
Former McLaren Formula One mechanic, author and broadcaster. His work brings the practical experience of motorsport engineering and teamwork to a wider public.
Explore contributionJohn Henry Priestley
Inventor named on the 1888 United States potato-planter patent US386349A.
Explore contributionWilliam E. Priestley
Inventor of the peanut vine pulling machine granted United States patent US2660013A in 1953.
Explore contributionRobert Joseph Priestley
Inventor named on US4083929A, a process for beneficiation of phosphate rock, granted in 1978.
Explore contributionTimothy M. Priestley
Co-inventor with Alfred J. Bird and John M. Winterbottom of the vegetable-oil hydrogenation process in US4163750A, granted in 1979.
Explore contributionMaurice Bertram Priestley
Statistician and Manchester professor whose influential research developed the spectral analysis of time series, including evolutionary spectra for processes that change over time.
Explore contributionJames Taggart Priestley II
Mayo Clinic surgeon and pioneer of pancreatic surgery. With M. W. Comfort and J. Radcliffe, he reported survival following total pancreatectomy for hyperinsulinism in 1944. His career also included surgical teaching and service in wartime military hospitals.
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A catalogue that continues to grow
The catalogue celebrates the Priestley name across generations and disciplines. Family relationships are recorded where supplied or documented; a shared surname alone does not establish descent from Joseph. Inclusion does not imply affiliation with The Priestley Institute. This is an expanding record, not a complete list of everyone who has borne the name.