What Happened in August 1779

Famous Birthdays

  • Aug 1 Francis Scott Key, American lawyer, poet and composer of the lyrics to "Star-Spangled Banner", born in Carroll County, Maryland (d. 1843)
  • Aug 1 Lorenz Oken, German naturalist, born in Bohlsbach, Swabia (d. 1851)
  • Aug 7 Carl Ritter, German geographer and co-founder of modern science of geography, born in Quedlinburg, Prussia (d. 1859)
  • Aug 7 Louis de Freycinet, French explorer and navigator (published the first map to show a full outline of the coastline of Australia in 1811), born in Montélimar, Drôme (d. 1842)
  • Aug 17 Franz de Paula Roser, Austrian composer and conductor, born in Naarn, Upper Austria (d. 1830)

Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen (1779-1852)

Aug 20 Russian explorer who discovered the continent of Antarctica, born in Osel, Estonia

  • Aug 20 Jöns Jakob Berzelius, Swedish chemist, born in Linköping, Sweden (d. 1848)
  • Aug 22 James Kirke Paulding, American author (The Dutchman's Fireside), born in Pleasant Valley, NY (d. 1860)

Famous Deaths

  • Aug 3 Henry Kobell, Dutch painter and cartoonist, dies at 27
  • Aug 24 Saint Kosmas of Aetolia, Greek Orthodox martyr, executed at Kolkondas (b. c. 1714)