J.D. Bowers will hold a signing session for his new book Sept. 29.

Bowers, assistant professor of history, released his latest publication, “Joseph Priestley and English Unitarianism in America” in May. Bowers wrote the book over a 10-year period, six of which were spent teaching high school.

The book originally began as Bowers’ dissertation, but ultimately morphed into a 251-page book discussing theology.

“I’ve always been interested in the central figure of the book, which is Joseph Priestley,” Bowers said. “Basically what I argue is that there is a prevailing idea among Unitarians and also religious historians that Unitarianism is an

indigenous religion to the United States.”

Joseph Priestley was an 18th century British philosopher often credited with the discovery of oxygen gas.

Priestley, who advocated equal rights for religious dissenters, was forced to flee the United States in 1791 after a mob burned down his home and church.

Bowers feels Priestley’s contributions to American Unitarian theology have been overlooked, and he intends to give Priestley his due credit in this book.

“We can’t just say I know the stereotypical version of a Unitarian or a Catholic, we need to be clear about what role theology and theological belief plays,” Bowers said.

The subject matter can be applied to the present day, he said.

“It’s a interesting book that I hope more people will read,” Bowers said.

“Because I think that as a modern day society we’re not conversant in history of theology, but I try to bring it to a level where people can understand theology and why theology is important,”

The book signing is scheduled for Sept. 29 at Barnes & Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road, from 5 to 7 p.m.