Beginning of the Priestley Riots

Date: July 14, 1791 • Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1791–1791.

The Priestley Riots, targeting religious dissenters such as Joseph Priestley, began in Birmingham, England.

The Priestley Riots took place from 14 July to 17 July 1791 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England; the rioters' main targets were religious dissenters, most notably the politically and theologically controversial Joseph Priestley. Both local and national issues stirred the passions of the rioters, from disagreements over public library book purchases, controversies over Dissenters' attempts to gain full civil rights and their support of the French Revolution.