Academy Lecture

18 Sep 2025

On Sunday, 21st September 2025, at 3.00pm, this year’s Academy Lecture will be presented by Dr. Bill Cooke, a leading authority on Warrington history with the recent publication of 'Warrington - Athens of the North'. He has published eight works of History, is president of the Warrington Literary and Philosophical Society and editor of the peer-reviewed journal, "The Wellsian". It will be a very rewarding afternoon, enjoying the in depth and informative presentation by Bill Cook. 

Joseph Priestley FRS (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political theorist. He published over 150 works and conducted experiments in several areas of science. 

Joseph Priestley FRS (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804)

In 1761, Priestley moved to Warrington, was ordained as a Unitarian Minister at the Chapel and assumed the post of tutor of modern languages and rhetoric at the town's Dissenting academy. He fitted in well at Warrington and made friends quickly. These included the doctor and writer John Aikin, his sister the children's author Anna Laetitia Aikin, and the potter and businessman Josiah Wedgwood. Wedgwood met Priestley in 1762, after a fall from his horse. Wedgwood and Priestley met rarely, but exchanged letters, advice on chemistry, and laboratory equipment. Wedgwood eventually created a medallion of Priestley in cream-on-blue jasperware.

Joseph Priestley made important contributions in philosophy, politics, science and religion.  Dr Cooke's talk will examine which contributions remain relevant and positive, which are of strictly academic interest, and which remains important, if problematic. 

Free entry           Tea / Coffee will be available after the lecture