Joseph Priestley, who was born in Birstall, is credited with the discovery of oxygen. He isolated the gas in 1774 through the thermal decomposition of mercuric oxide. A detailed account of his life and discovery can be found on Wikipedia. Here is an image of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, who was born in Birstall:
When was the statue of Joseph Priestley in Birstall erected, and who sculpted it?
Which community project started in Birstall in 2010?
Which group promotes local businesses in Birstall?
What are the historical origins of the name Birstall?
What geographical advantages did Birstall have in prehistoric times?