Dissenting academy

Priestley before him, was unable to attend either of the ancient universities. He was largely self-taught in science, and in 1793 began to teach mathematics and natural science in a dissenting academy in Manchester. He went on to become a major research chemist. By the time he died in 1844, he was internationally renowned and one of Manchester s most famous citizens. 

There had been isolated British chemists of distinction in the eighteenth century We have encountered some of them, most notably Joseph Priestley and Joseph Black. Priestley had taught in a dissenting academy, and the members of the private and informal Lunar Society of Birmingham had supported his research. He had had to teach himself the techniques of research and to devise a good deal of his own apparatus. He did not have students or assistants... 

Simms, T. H. (1979). Homerton College 1695-1978 From Dissenting Academy to Approved Society in the University of Cambridge. Trustees of Homerton College, Cambridge, p. 50. 

John Dalton was a staunch Quaker. Because Quakers were barred from attending universities, they set up their own schools, which Dalton attended. These so-called Dissenting Academies were good schools, considered better than most of the other educational institutions in England at the time. In any case, for anyone born in 1766 as Dalton was, any kind of education conferred a huge advantage. Fewer than 1 in 200 English citizens could read. 

In 1761 he was appointed tutor in langu es at the Dissenting Academy at Warrington. There he taught the theory of languages, oratory and criticism the history, laws, and constitution of England logic, and Hebrew (the last two... 

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