What Happened in May 1759

Historical Events

  • May 1 British fleet occupies Guadeloupe, West Indies, capturing it from France
  • May 31 The Province of Pennsylvania bans all theater productions

Famous Birthdays

  • May 1 Jacob Albright, German-American Christian leader, founder of Albright's People (Evangelical Association), born in Fox Mountain, Pennsylvania (d. 1808)
  • May 6 François Andrieux, French playwright, born in Strasbourg, France (d. 1833)
  • May 15 Maria Theresia von Paradis, Austrian blind pianist, singer, organist, and composer, born in Vienna, Austrian Empire (d. 1824)
  • May 18 Charles Duquesnoy, South Netherlands composer and singer, born in Beuzet (d. 1822)
  • May 20 William Thornton, British-American architect (Capitol Building in Washington, D.C), born in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands (d. 1828)
  • May 22 Gervais-François Couperin, French organist and composer, born in Paris, France (d. 1826)
  • May 23 António da Silva Leite, Portuguese composer, born in Porto, Portugal (d. 1833)

William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806)

May 28 British Prime Minister (Tory: 1783-1801, 1804-06), born in Hayes, Kent, England


Famous Deaths

  • May 12 Lambert-Sigisbert Adam, French sculptor, dies at 58