What Happened in July 1817

Historical Events

  • Jul 4 Chief Engineer James Geddes begins construction on the Erie Canal, (Rome, New York), one of the first great engineering works in North America
  • Jul 12 1st flower show held in Dannybrook, County Cork, Ireland
  • Jul 12 Karl Drais von Sauerbronn demonstrates bicycle course
  • Jul 18 Selkirk Treaty: Lord Selkirk signs agreement with five chiefs of Sautaux and Cree Nations for land use either side of Red and Assiniboine Rivers - 1st agreement in Western Canada recognizing Indigenous land rights [1]

Famous Birthdays

  • Jul 6 Albert von Kölliker, Swiss anatomist and histologist (one of the first to interpret tissue structure in terms of cellular elements), born in Zürich, Switzerland (d. 1905)

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Jul 12 American naturalist and pacifist (Walden Pond), born in Concord, Massachusetts

  • Jul 15 John Fowler, English engineer (engineer for London Metropolitan Railway - world's 1st underground railway), born in Sheffield, England (d. 1898)
  • Jul 17 Ignace Leybach, French pianist and composer, born in Gambsheim, Alsace, France (d. 1891)
  • Jul 19 Mary Ann Bickerdyke, American army nurse (union), born in Knox County, Ohio (d. 1901)
  • Jul 21 John Gilbert, British artist, illustrator and engraver, born in Blackheath, Surrey (d. 1897)
  • Jul 21 Joseph K Barnes, American Major General (Union Army), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1883)
  • Jul 24 Adolphe [Adolf Wilhelm August Karl Friedrich], Grand Duke of Luxembourg (1890-1905), born in Biebrich Palace, Wiesbaden, Duchy of Nassau (d. 1905)
  • Jul 29 James Blair Steedman, American Major General (Union Army), born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania (d. 1883)
  • Jul 31 Philip Cook Jr, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), (d. 1894)

Famous Deaths

  • Jul 14 Madame de Staël [Anne Louise Germaine de Staël-Holstein], French-Swiss author (De l’Allemagne), dies at 51

Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Jul 18 English novelist (Pride and Prejudice), dies at 41