Historical Events
Alfred Russel Wallace Returns
Oct 1 Alfred Russel Wallace returns to the U.K. after four years of travel, collecting, and research in South America
Famous Birthdays
William Ramsay (1852-1916)
Oct 2 Scottish chemist who discovered noble gases (Nobel 1904), born in Glasgow, Scotland
Emil Fischer (1852-1919)
Oct 9 German chemist, discovered Fischer esterification (Nobel Prize 1902), born in Euskirchen, Rhine Province
- Oct 15 Wilhelm Posse, German composer, born in Bromberg, Province of Posen (now Poland) (d. 1925)
- Oct 23 Jean-Louis Forain, French impressionist etcher and lithographer, born in Reims, France (d. 1931)
- Oct 31 Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman, American writer (Revolt of Mother), born in Randolph, Massachusetts (d. 1930)
Famous Deaths
- Oct 11 Ferdinand Eisenstein, German mathematician (number theory), dies at 29
- Oct 13 John Stephens, American explorer and archaeologist (pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America), dies at 46
- Oct 15 Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, German educator and founder of the turnverein (gymnastics) movement, dies at 74
- Oct 22 Hans Christoph Ernst von Gagern, German political writer and advisor to Dutch king, dies at 86
Daniel Webster (1782-1852)
Oct 24 US Secretary of State (1841-43, 1850-52), politician and lawyer, dies at 70
- Oct 28 Gerhard Moritz Roentgen, Dutch industrialist (founder of Fijenoord dockyard), dies at 57
Assassination
Car Crash
Hanging
Killed in Action
Plane Crash
Poisoning