Death of Sir Joseph Priestley: CM.395-1989

Components of the work

Object composed of white metal Diameter (min) 50.2 mm Diameter 50.2 mm Weight 60.14 g

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Draped bust of Joseph Priestley, bare head facing left

• Text: JOSEPH PRIESTLEY.L. L D.F.R.S. AC.IMP.PETROP.P.R.PARIS.HOLM.TAURIN.ITAL.HARLEM.AUREL.MID.PARIS.CANTAB.AMERIC.ET PHILAD.SOCIUS.
• Location: Obverse
• Type: Design

Inscription present: Inscription

• Text: THIS TABLET IS CONSECRATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REV. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY,L.LD. BY HIS AFFECTIONATE CONGREGATION, IN TESTIMONY OF THEIR GRATITUDE FOR HIS FAITHFUL ATTENTION TO THEIR SPIRITUAL IMPROVEMENT, AND FORHISPECULIARDILIGENCEINTRAININGUPTHEIRYOUTH TO RATIONAL PIETY AND GENUINE VIRTUE: OF THEIR RESPECT FOR HIS GREAT AND VARIOUS TALENTS WHICH WERE UNIFORMLY DIRECTED TO THE NOBLEST PURPOSSES OF THEIR VENERATION FOR THE PURE BENEVOLENT AND HOLY PRINCIPLES, WHICH THROUGH THE TRYING VISSITUDES OF LIFE AND IN THE AWFUL HOUR OF DEATH, ANIMATED HIM IN THE HOPE OF A BLESSED IMMORTALITY. HIS DISCOVERIES AS A PHILOSOPHY WILL NEVER CEASE TO BE REMEMBERED AND ADMIRED BY THE ABLEST IMPROVERS OF SCIENCE. HIS FIRMNESS AS AN ADVOCATE OF LIBERTY AND HIS SINCERITY AS AND EXPOUNDER OF THE SCRIPTURES ENDEARED HIM TO MANY OF HIS ENLIGHTENED AND UNPRJUDICED CONTEMPARIES. HIS EXAMPLE OF A CHRISTIAN WILL BE INSTRUCTIVE TO THE WISE AND INERESTING TO THE GOOD OF EVERY COUNTRY AND IN EVERY AGE. HE WAS BORN AT FIELDHEAD, NEAR LEEDS IN YORKSHIRE. MARCH 13, A . D . 1733. WAS CHOSEN A MINISTER OF THIS CHAPEL, DEC.31.780. CONTINUED IN THAT OFFICETEN YEARS AND SIX MONTHS. EMBARKED FOR AMERICA APRIL 7.1794. DIED IN NORTHUMBERLAND TOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA. FEB . 6, 1804. In exergue: UNITARIAN CHAPEL BIRMINGHAM
• Location: Reverse
• Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

• A Catalogue of British Historical Medals, 1760-1960. Vol I: The Accession of George III to the Death of William IV page(s): 138

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.395-1989
Primary reference Number: 228810
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Monday 19 August 2019 Updated: Thursday 29 August 2019 Last processed: Tuesday 13 June 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals