In 1922, the Priestley Medal, named for Joseph Priestley, was awarded for first time by the American Chemical Society to Ira Remsen “to recognize distinguished services to chemistry.” The award became the Society’s most prestigious award. 

Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1774 and answered age-old questions of why and how things burn. A n Englishman by birth, Priestley was deeply involved in politics and religion, as well as science. When his vocal support for the American and French revolutions made remaining in his homeland dangerous, Priestley left England in 1794 and continued his work in America until his death.