What Happened in December 1820

Historical Events

  • Dec 15 1st General pharmacopoeia in US published, Boston
  • Dec 20 Missouri imposes a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men aged between 21 & 50

Famous Birthdays

  • Dec 2 George Scharf, British art critic and administrator (National Portrait Gallery, 1857-95), born in London, England (d. 1895)
  • Dec 5 Afanasy Fet, Russian poet, born in Mtsensk, Russia (d. 1892)
  • Dec 10 David Allen Russell, United States Army officer (Union), born in Salem, New York (d. 1864)
  • Dec 10 Princess Elizabeth of Clarence, second daughter of Duke and Duchess of Clarence, later King William IV and Queen Adelaide, born in St James's Palace, London. England (d. 1821)
  • Dec 17 Frederick Tracy Dent, American General (Union Army), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1892)

Dion Boucicault (1820-1890)

Dec 26 Irish actor and playwright (London Assurance; The Poor of New York), born in Dublin, Ireland

  • Dec 26 Gustavus Adolphus Smith, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (d. 1885)

Famous Deaths

  • Dec 21 Charles-Francois Dumonchau, French pianist and composer, dies at 45