"The Friends of the People", Isaac Cruikshank (1764–1811), Scottish painter and caricaturist, London, 15 November 1792, hand-colored etching, published by S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly.

In his time, Priestley’s scientific contributions were overshadowed by his Unitarian beliefs and somewhat radical views on reforming society. Here Joseph Priestley is seen seated at a table with Thomas Paine, radical supporter of the American and French revolutions, surrounded by incendiary items: guns, knives, a dish says phosphorous, a gun butt says “Royal Electric fluid.” A winged putto grins at them while squatting on the table. Thomas Paine sits upon kegs of gunpowder. Books on treason, murders, assassination, revolution, etc. surround them. At Priestley’s feet are packages of brimstone, axe, and pickax. On the walls are scenes of execution and assassinations.