John Paul Jones

:Alternative meaning: John Paul Jones (musician) John Paul Jones (musician) John Paul Jones (July 6, 1747–July 18, 1792) was America's first well-known naval hero in the American Revolutionary War.

Background

John Paul Jones was born John Paul in 1747 in Kirkcudbrightshire on the southern coast of Scotland. John Paul’s father was a gardener in Arbigland, and his mother was a member of the MacDuff clan. John Paul added the surname Jones years later, while fleeing to New England to avoid a murder trial after shooting the leader of a mutiny in 1773.

Maritime career

John Paul began his maritime career at a young age, sailing out of Whitehaven as apprentice aboard the Friendship at only twelve years of age. During his numerous journeys to Fredericksburg, Virginia, aboard this ship, John Paul was likely able to visit his brother who had settled in the area. For the next several years, the young sailor traveled aboard several different English merchant and slaver ships, including the King George in 1764 as third mate and the Two Friends as first mate in 1766. After a short time in this business, John Paul became disgusted with the cruelty in the slave trade; during the voyage, Paul abandoned his prestigious position on the profitable Two Friends in 1768 while docked at Jamaica. John Paul found passage back to Scotland, and eventually he obtained another position. During his next voyage aboard the brig John, which sailed from port in 1768, young John Paul’s career was quickly and unexpectedly advanced. When both the captain and a ranking mate suddenly died of yellow fever, John Paul managed to successfully navigate the ship back to a safe port. In reward for this impressive feat, the vessel’s grateful Scottish owners made him master of the ship, gave him ten percent of the cargo, and the ship's crew. [http://seacoastnh.com/Maritime_History/John_Paul_Jones/John_Paul_Jones_Timeline/] John Paul then led two voyages to the West Indies before running into difficulty. During his second voyage in 1770, John Paul viciously flogged one of his sailors, leading to accusations of his discipline being 'unnecessarily cruel'. While these claims were initially dismissed, John Paul’s favorable reputation was destroyed when the disciplined sailor died a few weeks later. Sources disagree on whether he was arrested for his involvement in the man’s death, but the devastating effect on his reputation is indisputable. [http://seacoastnh.com/Maritime_History/John_Paul_Jones/John_Paul_Jones_Timeline/] Leaving Scotland, John Paul commanded a London-registered vessel for a period of about 18 months, engaging in commercial speculation in Tobago. Facing increasing scrutiny for his questionable past, John Paul left his fortune behind and moved to Fredericksburg in 1773, taking charge of his recently-deceased brother’s estate there. Sometime during this time, he appended Jones to his name, probably in an attempt to escape his troubled reputation.[http://famousamericans.net/johnpauljones/]

In America

Sources struggle with this period of John Paul Jones’ life, especially the specifics of his family situation, making it difficult to pinpoint historically-accurate motivations. Whether his plans for the plantation were not developing, or he was inspired by a revolutionary spirit is unknown. However, it is decisively known that Jones left for Philadelphia shortly after settling in America to volunteer his services to the newly-founded Continental Navy, which later became the United States Navy. During this time, around 1775, the Navy and Marines were being formally established, and suitable commanders were in great demand. Were it not for the endorsement of Richard Henry Lee who knew of his abilities, Jones' potential would likely have gone unrecognized. With help from influential members of the Continental Congress however, Jones was the first man to be assigned to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Continental Navy on December 22, 1775, on board the 'Alfred'.

Revolutionary command

December 22

Early command

Jones’ first assignment was aboard the frigate USS Alfred (30 guns, 300 men) sailing from the Delaware River in February 1776 to attack English merchant vessels in New Providence. The Alfred was one of six vessels, the frigate herself commanded by Commodore Esek Hopkins, the Navy’s Commander-in-Chief. It was aboard this vessel that Jones took the honor of hoisting the first American flag over an American Naval vessel (note: Jones actually raised the Grand Union Flag, not the later and more familiar Stars and Stripes design). After returning from this successful voyage in April aboard the Alfred, Jones was assigned command on the sloop Providence (12 guns, 70 men). Congress had recently ordered the construction of 13 frigates for the American Navy, one of which was to be commanded by Jones. In exchange for this prestigious command, Jones accepted his commission aboard the smaller Providence. During this six week voyage, Jones captured sixteen prizes and created significant damage along the coast of Nova Scotia. Jones’ next command came as a result of his proposed plan to the Marine Committee to destroy the enemy’s coal fleet at Isle Royale, and liberate the American prisoners being held there. On November 2, 1776 Jones set sail in command of Alfred to carry out this mission. This northern mission was extremely successful, highlighted by his capture of the British Mellish, a vessel carrying a vital supply of winter clothing intended for Burgoyne’s troops in Canada. In his autobiography, Jones claims, “this unexpected relief contributed not insignificantly to the success of the army at the Battle of Trenton (against the Hessians) that occurred immediately after my arrival in Boston.” [http://www.americanrevolution.org/jpj.html]

Command of USS Ranger

After arriving back in Boston on December 16, 1776, Jones’ disagreements with those in authority reached a new level. While in port, the accomplished commander began feuding with Commodore Hopkins, whom Jones believed was hindering his advancement and talking down his campaign plans. As a result of this and other frustrations, Jones was assigned the smaller command, the newly constructed Ranger (18 gun frigate), on June 14, 1777 (the same day the new Stars and Stripes flag was adopted). Stars and Stripes After making the necessary preparations, Jones sailed for France November 1, 1777, with orders to assist the American cause however possible. The American commissioners in France (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Arthur Lee) listened to Jones’ strategic recommendations. They assured him the command of L'Indien, a new vessel being constructed for America in Amsterdam. England, however, was able to divert the L'Indien away from American hands, by exerting pressure to ensure its sale to France instead (who had not yet allied with America). Jones was again left without a command, an unpleasant reminder of his stagnation in Boston from late 1776 until early 1777. It is thought that it was during this time Jones developed his close friendship with Benjamin Franklin, whom he greatly admired. On February 6, 1778, France signed their treaty with America, formally recognizing the independence of the new American republic. Eight days later, Captain Jones' Ranger became the first American Navy vessel to be saluted by the French, with a nine gun salvo fired from Admiral Piquet’s flagship. Finally on April 17, 1778 Jones set sail from Brest, France for coastal England. Strong winds forced Jones to head towards Ireland instead, leading to a famous encounter with HMS Drake, a 20 gun British Navy sloop.

Controversy aboard Ranger

Conflicting sources and the haze of history have obscured the truth of Ranger’s famous capture of HMS Drake. While history has looked favorably upon Jones’ mission, some sources suggest his pride nearly led to an embarrassing defeat, not to mention mutiny. After learning of Drake's location from captured sailors, sources claim Jones' first intention was to attack the vessel in broad daylight, resting at dock in Carrickfergus, Ireland. His sailors, represented by the ship’s first lieutenant Thomas Simpson, refused to follow the captain’s order. No mention of this initial attack is made by Jones is his autobiography, [http://www.americanrevolution.org/jpj.html] but he does seem to agree with the details of the second attempt, botched by a drunken mate who ruined the midnight assault by dropping anchor at the wrong time. After this failed attack, Jones was forced away from Drake by foul weather, also miraculously managing to avoid detection. [http://seacoastnh.com/Maritime_History/John_Paul_Jones/Ranger_Barely_Captures_HMS_Drake/] With Ranger’s main objective frustrated for the time being, Jones convinced his crew to participate in a daring assault on Whitehaven, the same town where his maritime career began. Jones notes the crew’s reluctance, stating “their aim, they said, was gain not honor… instead of encouraging the morale of the crew, they excited them to disobedience; they persuaded them that they had the right to judge whether a measure that was proposed to them was good or bad.” [http://www.americanrevolution.org/jpj.html] Jones led the assault with two boats of fifteen men at midnight, hoping to sink all Whitehaven’s ships anchored in harbor (numbered between 200–400), before setting the town itself ablaze. Jones managed to terrorize the town, though it is difficult to tell objectively how much damage was really done. Continuing on from Whitehaven, Jones hoped to hold for ransom the Earl of Selkirk on St. Mary’s Isle, off his birthplace, Kirkcudbrightshire. The Earl, Jones reasoned, could be exchanged for American sailors impressed into the British Navy. When the Earl was discovered to be absent from his estate, Jones claims he intended to return directly to his ship and continue seeking prizes elsewhere. Jones also claims his crew, led by Lt. Simpson, intended to “pillage, burn and plunder all they could,” instead of leaving peacefully.[http://www.americanrevolution.org/jpj.html] Ultimately, Jones allowed the crew to seize a silver plate adorned with the family’s emblem to placate their desires, but nothing else. silver The St. Mary’s Isle assault and the earlier attack on Whitehaven had little strategic significance, and resulted in no prizes or profits which under normal circumstances would be shared with the crew. The crew’s reluctance throughout the mission, especially to Jones’ more personal assaults, reveals growing hostility between Lieutenant Simpson, his followers, and their Commander.

Return to Brest

Nevertheless, Jones now led Ranger from these shores, hoping to make another attempt at the Drake still anchored in Carrickfergus. This time, Ranger engaged the enemy, capturing the vessel after an hour long battle which cost the enemy captain his life. Lieutenant Simpson was given command of Drake for the return journey to Brest. The ships separated during the return journey as Ranger chased another prize, leading to a conflict between Simpson and Jones. Both ships arrived at port safely, but Jones filed for a court-martial of Simpson, keeping him contained on the ship. Partly through the influence of John Adams, who was still serving as a commissioner in France, Simpson was released from Jones’ accusation. Adams implies in his memoirs that the overwhelming majority of the evidence supported Simpson’s claims. Adams seemed to believe Jones was hoping to monopolize the mission’s glory, especially by detaining Simpson on board while he celebrated the capture with numerous important European dignitaries. [http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/aea/browse/autobio2.html] Even with the wealth of perspectives, including the commander’s, [http://www.americanrevolution.org/jpj.html] it is difficult if not impossible to tell exactly what occurred. It is clear however, that the crew felt alienated by their commander, who may well have been motivated by his pride. Jones believed his intentions were honorable, and his actions were strategically and symbolically essential to the Revolution. Jones’ attacks along the coast and capture of Drake in fact did have significant symbolic importance, creating widespread panic among a people accustomed to naval dominance and protection. Regardless of any controversy surrounding the mission, Ranger’s capture of Drake was one of the American Navy’s few significant military victories during the Revolution. Jones was the first American commander to ever claim victory over a military combatant. By overcoming such incredible odds, Ranger’s victory became an important symbol of the American spirit and served as an inspiration for the permanent establishment of the American Navy after the Revolution.

After Ranger

In 1779 Captain Jones took command of USS Bonhomme Richard, a merchant ship rebuilt and gifted to America by the French shipping magnate, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray. On September 23, 1779, the five ship squadron included the 42 gun Bonhomme Richard, 32 gun Pallas, 32 gun Alliance, 12 gun Vengeance and Le Cerf engaged a merchant convoy off the coast of Flamborough Head, in east Yorkshire. The 44 gun British frigate HMS Serapis and the 22 gun Countess of Scarborough counter-engaged, scattering the attacking squadron and allowing the merchants to disengage and attempt escape. Vengeance and Le Cerf unsuccessfully pursued the convoy. Bonhomme Richard, Pallas, and Alliance engaged the British warships. The 44 gun Serapis engaged the smaller 42 gun Bonhomme Richard. The 32 gun Alliance counter-engaged Serapis. Serapis twice raked Bonhomme Richard with broadsides which cut her mainmast and holed her below the waterline, taking individual hits in return. Countess of Scarborough With Bonhomme Richard burning and sinking, it is believed her ensign was shot away. The British commander asked if she had struck her colors. Jones has been quoted as saying, “I have not yet begun to fight.” He then rammed Serapis and tied up to her, his marksmen in the rigging clearing the decks of Serapis so a boarding party was able to cross to Serapis and effect its capture. Meanwhile the 22 gun Countess of Scarborough engaged the 32 gun Pallas and was eventually captured, both ships taking extensive damage. In the following year, the King of France honoured him with the title "Chevalier." Jones the ardent Republican accepted the honour, and desired the title to be used thereafter: when the Continental Congress in 1787 resolved that a medal of gold be struck in commemoration of his "valour and brilliant services" it was to be presented to "Chevalier John Paul Jones". By contrast, in England at this time he was usually referred to as a pirate.
Russia
In 1788, Jones entered the service of the Empress Catherine II of Russia, avowing his intention, however, to preserve the condition of an American citizen and officer. As a rear admiral, he took part in the naval campaign in the Liman (an arm of the Black Sea, into which flow the Southern Bug and Dnieper rivers) against the Turks, but the jealous intrigues of Russian officers caused him to be recalled to St.Petersburg for the pretended purpose of being transferred to a command in the North Sea. Here he was compelled to remain in idleness, while rival officers plotted against him and even maliciously assailed his private character. In August 1789, he left St. Petersburg a bitterly disappointed man.
Final years
In May 1790, Jones arrived in Paris, where he remained in retirement during the rest of his life, although he made several attempts to re-enter the Russian service. Paris]In 1792 Jones was appointed U.S. Consul to Algiers, but he died on July 18, before the commission arrived. He was buried in Paris, but in 1905 his remains were removed from his long-forgotten grave and brought to the United States where, in 1913, he was interred in the Chapel of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
See also

- United States Navy
- USS John Paul Jones and USS Paul Jones are ships named in his honor.
- John Paul Jones, the 1959 film starring Robert Stack in the title role
References
This entry incorporates public domain text originally from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
- [http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/moa-cgi?notisid=ABK4014-0011-20 Harpers Monthly Magazine – "John Paul Jones"]
- [http://www.famousamericans.net Virtual American Biographies]
- [http://seacoastnh.com/Maritime_History/John_Paul_Jones/ SeaCoastNH.com – JPJ]
- L. Edward Purcell, "Who Was Who in the American Revolution" (1993).
External links

- [http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/traditions/html/jpjones.html U.S. Navy - John Paul Jones] - [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq58-1.htm FAQ]
- [http://www.americanrevolution.org/jpj.html Excerpts form the Journals of my Campaign – John Paul Jones]
- [http://www.jpj.demon.co.uk/jpjlife.htm John Paul Jones Museum]
- [http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/JONES.HTM John Paul Jones]
- [http://seacoastnh.com/arts/please092201.html Unfurling the Flags of John Paul Jones]
- [http://www.numa.net/articles/report_of_john_paul_jones.html Official report by Jones] from aboard Serapis in Holland (1779)
- [http://www.usni.org/navalhistory/Articles04/NHBogleApr.htm The Best Quote Jones Never Wrote]
- [http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/aea/browse/autobio2.html Adams Electronic Archive – Memoirs while commissioner (excerpts relating to the Ranger's historic missions)] Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Category:Scottish-Americans

John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is the stage name of John Baldwin (born January 3, 1946), the bassist and keyboard player for Led Zeppelin until the band's breakup after the death of John Bonham in 1980. A true musical talent, JPJ also plays guitar, mandolin, koto, Lap steel guitars, autoharp, ukulele, mellotron, organ, cello, and the over-dubbed bass recorder heard on Stairway to Heaven.
Early years
Jones was born in Sidcup, Kent. He went by the name John Baldwin until late 1963, when producer Andrew Loog Oldham suggested the name "John Paul Jones" after seeing a movie poster with that name on it in France. Jones learned his keyboard skills from his father, Joe Baldwin, who was a pianist and arranger for big bands in the 40's and 50's, notably with the Ambrose Orchestra. His mother was also in the music business which allowed the family to often perform together touring around England. His influences ranged from the blues of Big Bill Broonzy, the jazz of Charles Mingus, to the classical piano of Rachmaninov. Jones was a student at Christ College boarding school in Kent where he formally studied music. At the age of 14, he became choirmaster and organist at a local church and during that year, he also bought his first bass guitar, a Dallas solid body electric followed by a Fender Jazz bass. The fluid playing of Chicago musician Phil Upchurch made him decide to take up the bass guitar. Jones continued to use that Fender bass up until 1975.
Session work
Jones joined his first band at 15, which was called The Deltas. In 1962 he joined a London-based jazz-rock group called the Jett Blacks, but soon left to join the newly-formed backing group for ex-Shadows Jet Harris and Tony Meehan. Jet and Tony had just reached the top of the pop charts with their instrumental hit "Diamonds" (a track which, somewhat ironically, had featured Jimmy Page on rhythm guitar). Jones (still going by John Baldwin) spent a little over a year with the Harris & Meehan band, which also featured John McLaughlin on rhythm guitar. Meehan was also working as a house producer for Decca Records during this time, and he gradually began to employ Jones on his sessions. By mid-1964 Jones had turned to session work full time. Between 1964 and 1968 he was much in demand arranging, playing keyboards or bass guitar for artists including The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Jeff Beck, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Shirley Bassey, Lulu, and numerous others. As well as recording sessions with Dusty Springfield, Jones also played bass for her Talk Of The Town series of performances. His arranging and playing on Donovan's "Sunshine Superman", resulted in producer Mickie Most using his services as choice arranger for many of his own projects, with Tom Jones, Nico, Wayne Fontana, The Walker Brothers, and many others. It is estimated that Jones contributed to over 5000 sessions during a 5-year span. Jones also got to record with fellow friends of Tony Meehan and Jet Harris, none other than Meehan and Harris' ex-band, Cliff Richard and the Shadows. Before these recordings, Cliff Richard and the Shadows nearly changed history, by nearly preventing the future formation of Led Zeppelin, when they had talks about Jones replacing their ex-bassist Brian "Licorice" Locking. Instead they chose John Rostill.
Led Zeppelin
During his time in the session world, Jones often crossed paths with fellow session man, guitarist Jimmy Page, who himself left the session world for The Yardbirds in June 1966. In 1967 Jones contributed to Yardbirds Little Games album; the following winter, during the sessions for Donovan's The Hurdy Gurdy Man, Jones inquired about joining Page's post-Yardbirds band. Later that year, as Chris Dreja had decided to leave Page's post-Yardbirds group and take up photography, Jones was Page's first choice for bass player in The New Yardbirds, later to become Led Zeppelin. His decision to leave session work and join a group was due to his desire to express his artistic creativity. Despite the spotlight being placed on Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, Jones' temperament, musicianship, and experience were crucial to creating the bedrock sound and success of Led Zeppelin. Jones was responsible for the classic bass lines of the group, notably the descending notes on "Dazed and Confused" (Led Zeppelin), the funk influenced riffs and improvised jamming of "The Lemon Song", the jazzy bass lines in "What Is and What Should Never Be" (Led Zeppelin II), and the power crunch of "Black Dog" (untitled fourth album). After "retiring" his Fender Jazz Bass in 1975, Jones switched to using custom designed Alembics [http://www.alembic.com/]. His keyboard skills added an eclectic dimension that realised Led Zeppelin as more than just a heavy metal band, most notably on the delicate "The Rain Song" (Houses of the Holy) played on a Mellotron, the funky, danceable "Trampled Under Foot" (Physical Graffiti), and the eastern scales of "Kashmir" (also on Physical Graffiti). In live performances, Jones' keyboard showpiece was "No Quarter", often lasting for up to half-an-hour and sometimes including snatches of "Amazing Grace", Joaquín Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" which had inspired Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain, and variations of classical pieces by composers such as Rachmaninov. His diversity for the group also extended to other instruments, which included unusual double and even triple necked mandolins. While all members of Led Zeppelin had a reputation as party animals (a reputation Robert Plant later claimed was somewhat exaggerated), Jones was seen as the professional member of the group, as his excesses never hindered his performance, in contrast with Page and Bonham in Led Zeppelin's later years. Jones later claimed that everything he did was kept private, so no one would know about it. It is rumored that the Led Zeppelin song "Royal Orleans", from their album (Presence) is about an experience Jones once had. The song is about a person who mistakenly takes a drag queen up to his hotel room, who then falls asleep with a joint of marijuana in hand, lighting the room on fire. "Royal Orleans" was the name of a hotel where the members of Led Zeppelin would stay when they visited New Orleans because not as many people asked for autographs there. Jones' involvement with Led Zeppelin however did not completely halt his session work. In 1969 he returned to the studio to play bass guitar on Family Dogg's Way of Life album, in 1970, keyboards for guitarist Peter Green on his solo album The End of the Game. Jones was Madeline Bell's first choice to produce and arrange her 1974 album Comin' Atcha. He also sessioned with Roy Harper and contributed to Wings Back to the Egg Rockestra.
After Led Zeppelin breakup
Since 1980 his collaborators have included R.E.M., Heart, Ben E. King, The Mission, La Fura Dels Baus, Brian Eno, and The Butthole Surfers. He appeared on a number of sessions and videos for Paul McCartney and was involved in the soundtrack of the film Give My Regards to Broad Street. In 1986, Jones was asked by director Michael Winner to provide the soundtrack for the film, Scream for Help, with Jimmy Page appearing on two tracks. He recorded and toured with Diamanda Galás on her 1994 album, The Sporting Life (co-credited to John Paul Jones). Jones set up his own recording studio called Sunday School as well being involved in his daughter's (Jacinda Jones) singing career. Zooma, his debut solo album, was released in September 1999, and Jones toured in the USA, UK and Ireland to promote the album in October and November 1999 backed by Nick Beggs (Chapman Stick) and Terl Bryant (drums). Zooma was followed up in 2001 by Thunderthief which includes his debut as a solo vocalist. Jones took this on tour in November and December 2001. In 2004, he toured as part of the group Mutual Admiration Society, along with Glen Phillips (the front man for the band Toad the Wet Sprocket) and the members of the band Nickel Creek. Jones plays on two tracks on Foo Fighters' new album In Your Honor: mandolin on "Another Round" and piano on "Miracle", both of which are on the acoustic disc. The band's frontman Dave Grohl has described his guest appearance as the "second greatest thing to happen to him in his life". He has also branched out into album production, having produced such albums as New Zealand rockers The Datsuns' sophomore effort Outta Sight, Outta Mind (2004).
Selected discography
John Paul Jones' first solo recording was a single for Pye Records in April 1964 which featured "A Foggy Day in Vietnam". The B-side was "Baja".
- Scream for Help (1985) (soundtrack)
- The Sporting Life (1994), with Diamanda Galás
- Zooma (1999)
- The Thunderthief (2001)
Filmography

- The Song Remains the Same (1976)
- Give My Regards To Broad Street (1984)
External links

- [http://www.johnpauljones.com John Paul Jones' Official Website] Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones, John Paul

July 6

July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining.

Events

- 1253 - Mindaugas is crowned king of Lithuania.
- 1483 - Richard III is crowned king of England.
- 1484 - Portuguese sea captain Diogo Cão finds the mouth of Congo River.
- 1495 - Charles VIII fights in the Battle of Fornovo against the Holy League, ending his attempted conquest of Italy.
- 1560 - The Treaty of Edinburgh is signed by Scotland and England.
- 1573 - Córdoba, Argentina is founded by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera.
- 1609 - Bohemia is granted freedom of religion.
- 1630 - Thirty-Years War: 4,000 Swedish troops under Gustavus Adolphus land in Pomerania, Germany.
- 1777 - American Revolutionary War: At the Battle of Ticonderoga, bombardment by British artillery under General John Burgoyne forces American retreat from Fort Ticonderoga, New York.
- 1785 - The dollar is unanimously chosen as the monetary unit for the United States.
- 1799 - Ranjit Singh's 25,000 men start march towards Lahore.
- 1801 - Battle of Algeciras: The French navy defeats the British Royal Navy.
- 1854 - In Jackson, Michigan, the first convention of the U.S. Republican Party is held.
- 1885 - Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies. The patient is Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.
- 1887 - David Kalakaua, monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is forced at gunpoint, at the hands of Americans, to sign the Bayonet Constitution giving Americans more power in Hawaii while stripping Hawaiian citizens of their rights.
- 1892 - Dadabhai Naoroji elected as first Indian Member of Parliament in Britain.
- 1893 - The small town of Pomeroy, Iowa is nearly destroyed by a tornado that kills 71 people and injures 200.
- 1905 - Alfred Deakin becomes Prime Minister of Australia for the second time.
- 1908 - Robert Peary sets sail for the Arctic on the expedition on which he later reaches the North Pole.
- 1917 - World War I: Arabian troops led by Lawrence of Arabia and Auda ibu Tayi capture Aqaba from the Turks during the Arab Revolt.
- 1919 - The British dirigible R-34 lands in New York, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic by an airship.
- 1923 - Treaty of Union signed by Russia, Transcaucasia, Ukraine and Belarus, establishing the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
- 1928 - The ten world's largest hailstones fall in Potter, Nebraska.
- 1933 - The first Major League Baseball All-Star Game is played in Chicago's Comiskey Park. The American League defeats the National League, 4 to 2.
- 1939 - Holocaust: The last remaining Jewish enterprises in Germany are closed.
- 1944 - The Hartford Circus Fire, one of America's worst fire disasters, kills approximately 168 people and injures over 700 in Hartford, Connecticut.
- 1957 - Althea Gibson wins the Wimbledon championships, becoming the first black athlete to do so.
- 1957 - John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles meet for the first time.
- 1964 - A Hard Day's Night, the first Beatles film, premieres.
- 1964 - Malawi declares its independence from the United Kingdom.
- 1966 - Malawi becomes a republic.
- 1967 - Biafran War: Nigerian forces invade Biafra, beginning the war.
- 1974 - The radio program A Prairie Home Companion makes its first live broadcast.
- 1975 - The Comoros declare independence from France.
- 1977 - Pink Floyd's Roger Waters spits on a fan during the In The Flesh tour in Montreal.
- 1988 - The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires, killing 167 oil workers.
- 1988 - Carlos Salinas wins controversial Mexican presidential election.
- 1989 - At 01:23:45 AM, the time and date by British reckoning was 01:23:45 6/7/89. This was also true 12 hours later excepting 24-hour time.
- 2003 - The Corsicans rejected a referendum for increased autonomy from France by a very thin majority: 50.98 percent against, and 49.02 percent for.
- 2004 - The New York Post erroneously reports that Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry has selected Dick Gephardt as his running mate.
- 2005 - International Olympic Committee announces that London wins bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
- 2005 - Time Magazine reporter Matt Cooper agrees to testify to a grand jury that Karl Rove revealed to him Valerie Plame's secret CIA identity.
- 2005 - Bob Geldof and Bono meet with the G8 in Gleneagles to discuss increasing aid to Africa. Afterwards, both make appearances at the Edinburgh 50,000 concert, a last concert in the Live 8 series.

Births

- 1686 - Antoine de Jussieu, French naturalist (d. 1758)
- 1766 - Alexander Wilson, Scottish-born poet, ornithologist, naturalist, and painter (d. 1813)
- 1785 - William Jackson Hooker, English botanist (d. 1865)
- 1796 - Tsar Nicholas I of Russia (d. 1855)
- 1817 - Albert von Kölliker, Swiss anatomist (d. 1905)
- 1818 - Adolf Anderssen, German chess player (d. 1879)
- 1838 - Vatroslav Jagic, Croatian scholar (d. 1923)
- 1859 - Verner von Heidenstam, Swedish writer, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1940)
- 1884 - Harold Vanderbilt, American businessman (b. 1884)
- 1898 - Hanns Eisler, German composer (d. 1962)
- 1903 - Hugo Theorell, Swedish scientist, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (d. 1982)
- 1907 - Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter (d. 1954)
- 1918 - Sebastian Cabot, English actor (d. 1977)
- 1919 - Ernst Haefliger, Swiss tenor
- 1921 - Nancy Reagan, actress and First Lady of the United States
- 1923 - Wojciech Jaruzelski, President of Poland
- 1925 - Merv Griffin, American game show developer and television show host
- 1925 - Bill Haley, American singer (Bill Haley and the Comets) (d. 1981)
- 1927 - Hein Donner, Dutch chess player
- 1927 - Janet Leigh, American actress (d. 2004)
- 1927 - Pat Paulsen, American comedian and Presidential candidate (d. 1997)
- 1931 - Della Reese, American singer and actress
- 1935 - Tenzin Gyatso, fourteenth Dalai Lama, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
- 1936 - Dave Allen, Irish comedian (d. 2005)
- 1937 - Vladimir Ashkenazy, Russian pianist and conductor
- 1937 - Ned Beatty, American actor
- 1946 - George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
- 1946 - Sylvester Stallone, American actor
- 1951 - Geoffrey Rush, Australian actor
- 1953 - Nanci Griffith, American singer and songwriter
- 1958 - Jennifer Saunders, British actress and comedian
- 1959 - Richard Dacoury, French basketball player
- 1967 - Heather Nova, West Indian-born guitarist and singer
- 1969 - Fernando Redondo, Argentine footballer
- 1970 - Inspectah Deck, American rapper
- 1975 - 50 Cent, American rapper
- 1978 - Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry, Twin German actresses
- 1983 - Gregory Smith, Canadian actor

Deaths

- 1189 - King Henry II of England (b. 1133)
- 1218 - Eudes III, Duke of Burgundy (b. 1166)
- 1249 - King Alexander II of Scotland (b. 1198)
- 1415 - Jan Hus, Bohemian reformer (burned at the stake) (b. 1369)
- 1476 - Regiomantus, German astronomer and mathematician (b. 1436)
- 1480 - Antonio Squarcialupi, Italian composer (b. 1416)
- 1533 - Ludovico Ariosto, Italian poet (b. 1474)
- 1535 - Sir Thomas More, English writer and philosopher (executed) (b. 1478)
- 1553 - King Edward VI of England (b. 1537)
- 1583 - Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury
- 1585 - Thomas Aufield, English Catholic martyr (b. 1552)
- 1684 - Peter Gunning, English royalist churchman (b. 1614)
- 1758 - George Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe, British general (killed in battle)
- 1711 - James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry, Scottish politician (b. 1662)
- 1762 - Tsar Peter III of Russia (murdered) (b. 1728)
- 1768 - Conrad Beissel, German-born religious leader
- 1835 - John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States (b. 1755)
- 1854 - Georg Ohm, German physicist
- 1893 - Guy de Maupassant, French author (b. 1850)
- 1902 - St. Maria Goretti, French saint (b. 1890)
- 1916 - Odilon Redon, French painter (b. 1840)
- 1932 - Kenneth Grahame, English children's author (b. 1859)
- 1960 - Aneurin Bevan, British politician (b. 1897)
- 1961 - Woodall Rodgers, mayor of Dallas, Texas (b. 1890)
- 1962 - William Faulkner, American writer, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1897)
- 1962 - Joseph August, Archduke of Austria, Austrian field marshal (b. 1872)
- 1966 - Sad Sam Jones, baseball player (b. 1892)
- 1971 - Louis Armstrong, American musician (b. 1901)
- 1973 - Otto Klemperer, German conductor (b. 1885)
- 1982 - Bob Johnson, baseball player (b. 1905)
- 1986 - Jagjivan Ram, Indian politician (b. 1908)
- 1989 - János Kádár, Hungarian politician (b. 1912)
- 1998 - Roy Rogers, American cowboy actor and singer (b. 1911)
- 1999 - Joaquin Rodrigo, Spanish composer (b. 1901)
- 2002 - Dhirubhai Ambani, Indian businessman (b. 1932)
- 2002 - John Frankenheimer, American film director (b. 1930)
- 2003 - Buddy Ebsen, American actor (b. 1908)
- 2004 - Thomas Klestil, President of Austria (b. 1932)
- 2005 - L. Patrick Gray III, American director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (b. 1916)
- 2005 - Claude Simon, French writer, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1913)

Holidays and observances

- Comoros - Independence Day (1975)
- Czech Republic - Jan Hus Day (1415)
- Feast day of St Maria Goretti
- Lithuania - Day of Statehood
- Malawi - Independence Day (1964)
- Malawi - Republic Day (1966)
- Roman festivals Ludi Apollinares, games in honour of Apollo (since 208 BC) begin today

External links

- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/6 BBC: On This Day] ---- July 5 - July 7 - June 6 - August 6 -- listing of all days ko:7월 6일 ms:6 Julai ja:7月6日 simple:July 6 th:6 กรกฎาคม

July 18

July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining.

Events

- 390 BC - Battle of the Allia: A Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leading to the subsequent sacking of Rome.
- 64 - Great fire of Rome: A fire begins to burn in the merchant area of Rome and soon burns completely out of control while Emperor Nero reportedly plays his lyre and sings while watching the blaze from a safe distance.
- 1195 - Battle of Alarcos, great victory of Almohad ruler Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur over the Castilian King Alfonso VIII
- 1536 - The authority of the Pope is declared void in England.
- 1830 - Uruguay adopts its first constitution.
- 1857 - Louis Faidherbe, French governor of Senegal, arrives to relieve French forces at Kayes, effectively ending El Hajj Umar Tall's war on the French.
- 1863 - American Civil War: The first formal African American military unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, unsuccessfully assaults Confederate-held Fort Wagner but their valiant fighting still proves the worth of African American soldiers during the war.
- 1872 - Britain introduces voting by secret ballot.
- 1873 - Oscar II of Sweden-Norway is crowned king of Norway in Trondheim
- 1898 - Marie and Pierre Curie announce the discovery of a new element and proposed to call it polonium.
- 1914 - The United States Army's Signal Corps is formed, giving definite status to its air service for the first time.
- 1925 - Adolf Hitler publishes his personal manifesto Mein Kampf.
- 1938 - Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan arrives in Ireland.
- 1942 - World War II: The Germans test fly the Messerschmitt Me-262 using only its jets for the first time.
- 1944 - World War II: Hideki Tojo resigns as Prime Minister of Japan due to numerous setbacks in the war effort.
- 1947 - President Harry S. Truman signs the Presidential Succession Act into law which places the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore next in the line of succession after the United States Vice President.
- 1966 - Gemini 10 launched.
- 1968 - Vietnam War: The two-day Honolulu Conference begins in Honolulu, Hawaii between US President Lyndon B. Johnson and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu.
- 1968 - Intel incorporated.
- 1969 - After a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Senator Ted Kennedy from Massachusetts drives an Oldsmobile off a wooden bridge into a tide-swept pond and his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, dies.
- 1969 - Apollo 11 makes preparations for landing on the Moon.
- 1976 - Gymnast Nadia Comaneci, aged 14, scores first ever perfect 10 at the Olympics.
- 1977 - Vietnam joins the United Nations.
- 1982 - 268 campesinos ("countryside people") are slain in the Plan de Sánchez massacre in Ríos Montt's Guatemala.
- 1984 - McDonald's massacre in San Ysidro, California: In a fast-food restaurant, James Oliver Huberty kills 21 people and injures 19 others before being shot dead by police.
- 1984 - National Crime Authority. Formed, in Australia.
- 1986 - A tornado is broadcast live on KARE television in Minnesota when the station's helicopter pilot makes a chance encounter.
- 1986 - The motion picture Aliens opens in theaters.
- 1989 - Rebecca Schaeffer is shot by a crazed fan, prompting California to pass America's first anti-stalking law in 1990.
- 1992 - The ten victims of the La Cantuta massacre disappeared from their university in Lima.
- 1992 - 'The Late Show', starring the D-Generation Debuts on ABC T.V
- 1994 - In Buenos Aires, an explosion destroys a building housing several Jewish organizations killing 85 and injuring many more.
- 1994 - A court upholds NBA salary cap and draft rights.
- 1995 - On the Caribbean island of Montserrat, the Soufriere Hills volcano erupts. Over the course of several years, it devastates the island, destroying the capital and forcing most of the population to flee.
- 1996 - Storms provoke severe flooding on the Saguenay River in Quebec, beginning one of Canada's costliest natural disasters ever.
- 1996 - In an event very similar to the Oklahoma tornado that would occur three years later, an F5 tornado hit the town of Oakfield, Wisconsin.
- 1997 - 8000 low-caste Indians riot in Mumbai (Bombay) following a funeral for 10 children who had been killed by police.
- 1998 - A 23-foot tidal wave kills nearly 3,000 people in Papua New Guinea.
- 2001 - In Baltimore, Maryland, a 60-car train derails in a tunnel, sparking a fire that lasts days and virtually shuts down downtown Baltimore.
- 2003 - Kobe Bryant is charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year old girl.

Births

- 1013 - Hermannus Contractus, learned monk (d. 1054)
- 1501 - Isabella of Burgundy, queen of Christian II of Denmark (d. 1526)
- 1504 - Heinrich Bullinger, Swiss religious reformer (d. 1575)
- 1552 - Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor (d. 1612)
- 1634 - Johannes Camphuys, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies (d. 1695)
- 1635 - Robert Hooke, English scientist (d. 1703)
- 1670 - Giovanni Bononcini, Italian composer (d. 1747)
- 1718 - Saverio Bettinelli, Italian writer (d. 1808)
- 1720 - Gilbert White, English ornithologist (d. 1793)
- 1797 - Immanuel Hermann Fichte, German philosopher (d. 1879)
- 1811 - William Makepeace Thackeray, English author (d. 1863)
- 1821 - Pauline Garcia-Viardot, French mezzo-soprano and composer (d. 1910)
- 1845 - Tristan Corbière, French poet (d. 1875)
- 1853 - Hendrik Lorentz, Dutch physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1928)
- 1864 - Phillip Snowden, British politician (d. 1937)
- 1887 - Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian politician and traitor (d. 1945)
- 1890 - Frank Forde, fifteenth Prime Minister of Australia (d. 1983)
- 1892 - Arthur Friedenreich, Brazilian football player
- 1894 - Isaac Babel, Ukrainian writer (d. 1940)
- 1900 - Nathalie Sarraute, French writer (d. 1999)
- 1902 - Jessamyn West, American writer (d. 1984)
- 1902 - Chill Wills, American actor (d. 1978)
- 1906 - S. I. Hayakawa, American semanticist and politician (d. 1992)
- 1906 - Clifford Odets, American writer (d. 1963)
- 1909 - Andrei Gromyko, Soviet diplomat and President (d. 1989)
- 1909 - Mohammed Daoud Khan, President of Afghanistan (d. 1978)
- 1911 - Hume Cronyn, Canadian actor (d. 2003)
- 1913 - Red Skelton, American actor and comedian (d. 1997)
- 1918 - Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
- 1921 - John Glenn, astronaut and politician
- 1922 - Thomas Kuhn, American philosopher (d. 1996)
- 1923 - Jerome H. Lemelson, American inventor (d. 1997)
- 1925 - Shirley Strickland, Australian athlete
- 1927 - Kurt Masur, Silesian-born conductor
- 1929 - Dick Button, American figure skater
- 1929 - Screamin' Jay Hawkins, American singer (d. 2000)
- 1930 - Burt Kwouk, English actor
- 1933 - Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Russian poet
- 1935 - Jayendra Saraswathi, Hindu religious leader
- 1937 - Roald Hoffman, Polish-born chemist, Nobel Prize laureate
- 1937 - Hunter S. Thompson, American journalist and author (d. 2005)
- 1940 - James Brolin, American actor
- 1940 - Joe Torre, baseball player and manager
- 1941 - Martha Reeves, American singer
- 1947 - Steve Forbes, American entrepreneur and politician
- 1948 - Hartmut Michel, German chemist, Nobel Prize laureate
- 1950 - Sir Richard Branson, British entrepreneur
- 1951 - Elio Di Rupo, Belgian politician
- 1960 - Anne-Marie Johnson, American actress
- 1962 - Jack Irons, American drummer Red Hot Chili Peppers
- 1963 - Martín Torrijos Espino, President of Panama
- 1963 - Mike Greenwell, baseball player
- 1969 - Masanori Murakawa, Japanese professional wrestler
- 1967 - Vin Diesel, American actor
- 1975 - Torii Hunter, baseball player
- 1975 - Daron Malakian, American guitarist (System of a Down)
- 1978 - Ben Sheets, baseball player
- 1980 - Kristen Bell, American actress

Deaths

- 1100 - Godfrey of Bouillon, French crusader
- 1488 - Alvise Cadamosto, Italian explorer (b. 1432)
- 1591 - Jacobus Gallus, Slovenian composer (b. 1550)
- 1608 - Joachim Friedrich, Elector of Brandenburg (b. 1546)
- 1610 - Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Italian artist (b. 1573)
- 1623 - Pope Gregory XV
- 1639 - Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar, German general (b. 1604)
- 1665 - Stefan Czarniecki, Polish general (b. 1599)
- 1695 - Johannes Camphuys, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies (b. 1634)
- 1698 - Johann Heinrich Heidegger, Swiss theologian (b. 1633)
- 1721 - Antoine Watteau, French painter (b. 1684)
- 1730 - François de Neufville, duc de Villeroi, French soldier (b. 1644)
- 1792 - John Paul Jones, American naval commander (b. 1747)
- 1817 - Jane Austen, English novelist (b. 1775)
- 1863 - Robert Gould Shaw, American military officer (b. 1837)
- 1872 - Benito Juárez, President of Mexico (b. 1806)
- 1892 - Thomas Cook, English travel agent (b. 1808)
- 1949 - Vítězslav Novák, Czech composer (b. 1870)
- 1952 - Paul Saintenoy, Belgian architect (b. 1862)
- 1968 - Corneille Heymans, Belgian physiologist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1892)
- 1988 - Nico, German-born model and singer (b. 1938)
- 1989 - Donnie Moore, baseball player (suicide) (b. 1954)
- 1990 - Yoon Boseon, President of South Korea (b. 1897)
- 1995 - Fabio Casartelli, Italian cyclist (b. 1970)
- 2001 - James Hatfield, American author
- 2001 - Fabio Taglioni, Italian automotive engineer (b. 1920)
- 2002 - Victor Emery, British theoretical physicist (b. 1933)
- 2004 - Paul Foot, British journalist (b. 1937)
- 2005 - William Westmoreland, U.S. Army general (b. 1914)

Holidays and observances

- Uruguay - Constitution Day
- Japan - Marine Day (3rd Monday of July, 2005)
- United States - National Ice Cream Day and National Caviar Day (mix those)

External links

- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/18 BBC: On This Day] ---- July 17 - July 19 - June 18 - August 18 -- listing of all days ko:7월 18일 ja:7月18日 th:18 กรกฎาคม

1792

1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar).

Events

- January 25 - The London Corresponding Society is founded by Carlton Schulman.
- February 20 - The Postal Service Act, establishing the United States Post Office Department, is signed by President George Washington.
- March 16 - King of Sweden Gustav III Shot in the back by Jacob Johan Anckarström at a midnight masquerade at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, on March 16, he expired on March 29 succeeded by Gustav IV Adolf.
- April 2 - The Coinage Act is passed establishing the United States Mint.
- April 5 - United States President George Washington vetos a bill designed to apportion representatives among U.S. states. This is the first time the presidential veto has been used in the United States.
- April 20 - France declares war against the Habsburgs
- April 21 - Tiradentes, prime figure in the Inconfidência Mineira plot, is executed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- April 24 - First experimental use of the guillotine in France
- April 25 - Highwayman Nicolas J. Pelletier becomes the first person executed by guillotine.
- May 11 - Captain Robert Gray becomes the first white man to discover the Columbia River.
- May 17 - Buttonwood Agreement is signed, beginnings of New York Stock Exchange
- May 21 - Old lava dome collapses in Kyushu, Japan when Mount Unzen volcano erupts - resulting avalanche and tsunami kills about 14300
- June 1 - Kentucky is admitted as the 15th U.S. state and as one of its first orders of business ratifies all twelve articles of the Bill of Rights, including one that is technically still pending for consideration.
- June 4 - Captain George Vancouver claims Puget Sound for Great Britain.
- August 10 - French Revolution: Storming of the Tuileries Palace. Louis XVI of France is arrested and taken into custody.
- September 2 - During what became known as the September Massacres of the French Revolution, rampaging mobs slaughtered three Roman Catholic Church bishops and more than two hundred priests.
- September 11 - Six men steal some of the former French Crown jewels from a warehouse the revolutionary government uses to store them.
- September 20 - Battle of Valmy - French revolutionary army defeats Prussians under Duke of Brunswick after 7-hour artillery duel.
- September 21 - French convention abolishes the monarchy and establishes the First Republic.
- September 22 - Beginning of the Era of the historical French Republican Calendar.
- October 12 - First celebration of Columbus Day in the USA held in New York; 300 years after.
- October 13 - Foundation of Washington, DC. The cornerstone of the United States Executive Mansion, known as the White House since 1818, is laid.
- October 29 - Mt. Hood (Oregon) is named after the British naval officer Alexander Arthur Hood by Lt. William E. Broughton who spotted the mountain near the mouth of the Willamette River.
- December 26 - Trial of Louis XVI of France begins.

Without dates

- Dominique-Jean Larrey, chief surgeon of the Grand Armee of France, created the first ambulance wagons specifically designed as ambulances.
- French revolution, culminate year, Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle composes La Marseillaise also known as "Marche pour les armées du Rhin".
- Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, last emperor, takes office.
- Treaty of Jassy ends Russian war with Ottoman Empire over Crimea.
- Russia invades Poland: War in defence of the constitution.
- King John VI takes over from his insane mother in Portugal.
- George Washington is re-elected as president of the United States.
- Tipu Sultan invades Kerala in India, but is repulsed.
- George Vancouver explores Puget Sound, becomes first European to see Mount Rainier.
- Franz Xaver, Baron Von Zach, an astronomer, publishes "The Tables of the Sun", an essential early work for navigation.
- Claude Chappe successfully demonstrates the first semaphore line, between Paris and Lille.
- William Murdoch begins experimenting with gas lighting.
- George Anschutz constructs first blast furnace in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Thomas Holcroft produces the play Road to Ruin in London.
- Barthelemy Catherine Joubert, later general, becomes sub-lieutenant.
- Johann Georg Albrechtberger becomes Kapellmeister in Vienna.
- State Street Corporation is founded.

Ongoing events

- French Revolution (1789-1799)
- French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)

Births

- January 12 - Johann Arfvedson, Swedish chemist (d. 1841)
- February 10 - Captain Frederick Marryat, British author (d. 1848)
- February 17 - Karl Ernst von Baer, German naturalist (d. 1876)
- February 29 - Gioacchino Rossini, Italian composer (d. 1868)
- March 3 - Johann Karl Ludwig Gieseler, German church historian (d. 1854)s
- March 7 - John Herschel, English mathematician and astronomer (d. 1871)
- April 1 - Karl Gottlob Zumpt, German scholar (d. 1894)
- April 23 - John Thomas Romney Robinson, Irish astronomer and physicist (d. 1882)
- April 25 - John Keble, British poet (d. 1866)
- May 13 - Pope Pius IX (d. 1878)
- May 15 - James Mayer Rothschild, German-born banker (d. 1868)
- May 17 - Anne Isabella Milbanke, English wife of George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron
- May 21 - Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis, French engineer and scientist (d. 1843)
- June 16 - John Linnell, British painter (d. 1882)
- July 10 - George M. Dallas, U.S. Senator and Vice President of the United States (d. 1864)
- June 21 - Ferdinand Christian Baur, German theologian (d. 1860)
- August 4 - Percy Bysshe Shelley, British poet (d. 1822)
- August 13 - Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, queen of William IV of the United Kingdom (d. 1849)
- August 18 - Lord John Russell, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (d. 1878)
- September 19 - William Backhouse Astor, Sr., American business tycoon (d. 1875)
- September 26 - William Hobson, first Governor of New Zealand (d. 1842)
- November 11 - Mary Anne Evans, wife of Benjamin Disraeli (d. 1872)
- November 28 - Victor Cousin, French philosopher (d. 1867)
- December 1 - Nikolai Ivanovich Lobachevsky, Russian mathematician (d. 1856)
- December 6 - William II of the Netherlands (d. 1849)
- Matteo Carcassi, Italian musician and composer (d. 1853)
- William Henry Smith, British businessman (d. 1865)

Deaths

- February 23 - Sir Joshua Reynolds, British painter (b. 1723)
- March 1 - Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor (b. 1747)
- March 3 - Robert Adam, British architect (b. 1728)
- March 10 - John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister of Great Britain (b. 1713)
- March 29 - King Gustav III of Sweden (assassinated) (b. 1746)
- April 3 - George Pocock, British admiral (b. 1706)
- April 4 - James Sykes, American politician (b. 1725)
- April 3 - John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, English statesman (b. 1718)
- April 14 - Maximilian Hell, Slovakian astronomer (b. 1720)
- April 23 - Karl Friedrich Bahrdt, German theologian and adventurer (b. 1841)
- April 30 - John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich (b. 1718)
- May 10 - John Stevens, American delegate to the Continental Congress
- May 12 - Charles Simon Favart, French dramatist (b. 1710)
- May 24 - George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, British naval officer (b. 1718)
- June 4 - John Burgoyne, British general (b. 1723)
- July 3 - Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick (b. 1735)
- July 18 - John Paul Jones, American naval captain (b. 1747)
- July 29 - René Nicolas Charles Augustin de