What Happened in October 1803

Historical Events

  • Oct 20 US Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase

Absorption of Gases by Water

Oct 21 English scientist John Dalton reads his paper "On the Absorption of Gases by Water and Other Liquids" to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Soc - 1st outline of his atomic theory

Famous Birthdays

  • Oct 3 John Gorrie, American scientist and inventor (cold-air process of refrigeration), born in Charleston, South Carolina (d. 1855)
  • Oct 6 Heinrich Wilhelm Dove, Prussian physicist and meteorologist, born in Legnica, Poland (d. 1879)
  • Oct 11 Albartus Telting, Frisian poet (Frisianch Jierboeckjen), born in Franeker, Netherlands (d. 1863)
  • Oct 21 George Wright, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Norwich, Vermont (d. 1865)
  • Oct 21 Solon Robinson, American journalist (New York Tribune), writer (Hot Corn: Life Scenes in New York Illustrated), and agriculturist, born in Tolland, Connecticut (d. 1880)
  • Oct 25 Maria van Ackere-Doolaeghe, Flemish poet (Daisies, Avondlamp), born in Diksmuide, Belgium (d. 1884)

Famous Deaths

Samuel Adams (1722-1803)

Oct 2 American revolutionary (Boston Massacre-Tea Party) and politician (Lt Gov-Mass, 1789-94), dies at 81

  • Oct 8 Vittorio Alfieri, Italian poet and playwright (Filippo), dies at 54
  • Oct 26 Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of Stafford, English politician, dies at 82