Historical Events
The Liberty Affair
May 9 John Hancock pays duties on 25 pipes of wine, only one fourth of his ship's carrying capacity. British officials accuse him of unloading the rest during the night to avoid paying duties on the entire cargo.
John Wilkes Imprisoned
May 10 English radical John Wilkes imprisoned for writing an article for "The North Briton" severely criticizing King George III. This action provokes rioting in London.
Famous Birthdays
- May 2 Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert, French dermatologist, born in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron, France (d. 1837)
- May 3 Charles Tennant, Scottish chemist and industrialist, born in Laigh Corton, Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland (d. 1838)
- May 17 Caroline of Brunswick, Queen Consort of King George IV (1820-21), born in Brunswick, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1821)
- May 17 Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, English general, born in London (d. 1854)
- May 20 Dolley Madison, American 4th First Lady of the United States (1809-17) as wife of President James Madison, born in Guildford County, North Carolina (d. 1849) [1]
Famous Deaths
- May 13 Princess Louisa Anne of Wales, dies of tuberculosis at 19
- May 16 Cornelis Writer, fleet supervisor, dies at about 81
- May 27 Johann M Fleischmann, German/Dutch stamp/letter designer, dies
- May 30 Eggert Ólafsson, Icelandic explorer, writer (Reise igiennem Island - Travels In Iceland), and language conservationist, drowns with his wife when their boat capsizes at 41
Authors
Dictators
Explorers
Outlaws
Queens
Spies