Henry James Priestley

Education Henry James Priestley was born in Crouch Hill, London. He was educated at Mill Hill School and Jesus College, University of Cambridge, where he gained his B.A. with honours first class (second division). He was fifth wrangler in the Mathematical Tripos of 1905. In 1909 he received his M.A. from Cambridge. He married Margery Hewitt in 1909 in London. In 1910, The University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia advertised extensively, four new professor positions in the newly formed University. After Professor Ernest Rutherford of the University of Manchester declined it, Priestley's application was considered and voted favourably upon. Priestley would become Professor of mathematics and physics. He and his wife arrived in Brisbane in 1911, on the same boat as his colleague Professor John Lundie Michie. However Priestley soon realised he couldn't teach all the necessary subjects alone, and so Thomas Parnell, who was teaching at the University of Melbourne, found his application to lecture in physics successful. His wife was active in the establishment of the Women's College at the University.

His eldest son Henry Thomas Priestley, was a key advocate for the establishment of Townsville University College (now James Cook University) in 1960.

Legacy A major building at the University of Queensland bears his name.