Explore 510 historical events from 1840–1849.
James Anthony Bailey was an American owner and manager of several 19th-century circuses, including the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
James Anthony Bailey, American circus ringmaster, co-founded Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (died 1906)
Max Liebermann was a German painter and printmaker, and one of the leading proponents of Impressionism in Germany and continental Europe. In addition to his activity as an artist, …
Max Liebermann, German painter and academic (died 1935)
The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, was an invasion of Mexico by the United Stat…
Mexican–American War: the Battle of Chapultepec begins.
The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, was an invasion of Mexico by the United Stat…
Mexican–American War: Six teenage military cadets known as Niños Héroes die defending Chapultepec Castle in the Battle…
William James Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie was a leading British shipbuilder and businessman. He was chairman of Harland & Wolff, shipbuilders, between 1895 and 1924, and also serve…
William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie, Canadian-Irish businessman and politician, Lord Mayor of Belfast (died 1924)
Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett was an English political activist and writer. She campaigned for women's suffrage by legal change and in 1897–1919 led Britain's largest women's righ…
Millicent Fawcett, English academic and activist (died 1929)
Paul Langerhans was a German pathologist, physiologist and biologist, credited with the discovery of the cells that secrete insulin, named after him as the islets of Langerhans.
Paul Langerhans, German pathologist, physiologist and biologist (died 1888)
Ignacio Cervantes Kawanagh was a Cuban pianist and composer. He was influential in the creolization of Cuban music.
Ignacio Cervantes, Cuban pianist and composer (died 1905)
Robert Comtesse was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council (1899-1912).
Robert Comtesse, Swiss lawyer and politician (died 1922)
Andrew Greenwood was an English professional cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1869 to 1880. He was born and died in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshir…
Andrew Greenwood, English cricketer (died 1889)
Aleksander Głowacki, better known by his pen name Bolesław Prus, was a Polish journalist, novelist, a leading figure in the history of Polish literature and philosophy, and a disti…
Bolesław Prus, Polish journalist and author (died 1912)
Sir John Forrest was an Australian explorer and politician. He was the first premier of Western Australia (1890–1901) and a long-serving cabinet minister in federal politics.
John Forrest, Australian politician, 1st Premier of Western Australia (died 1918)
Sarah Frances Whiting was an American physicist and astronomer. In February 1896 Whiting founded both the physics and astronomy departments; and was the first professor of physics …
Sarah Frances Whiting, American physicist and astronomer (died 1927)
Maria Vittoria Carlotta Enrichetta Giovanna dal Pozzo, 6th Princess of Cisterna d'Asti and of Belriguardo, was an Italian noblewoman who was Queen of Spain from 16 November 1870 un…
Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo, Queen Consort of King Amadeo I of Spain (died 1876)
Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised a Southern sympathizer in the "Little Dixie" area of Misso…
Jesse James, American outlaw (died 1882)
Mary Watson Whitney was an American astronomer and was the head of the Vassar College Observatory for 22 years, where 102 scientific papers were published under her guidance.
Mary Watson Whitney, American astronomer and academic (died 1921)
Fanny Holland was an English singer and comic actress primarily known as the creator of principal soprano roles in numerous German Reed Entertainments from 1869 to 1895.
Fanny Holland, English actress and singer (died 1931)
Susanna Rubinstein was an Austrian psychologist and the first woman to earn a doctorate from the University of Bern in Switzerland.
Susanna Rubinstein, Austrian psychologist (died 1914)
Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen was an Austrian field marshal, the third son of Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain. He was also the…
Charles, Austrian commander and duke of Teschen (born 1771)
Fanny Cäcilie Hensel née Mendelssohn was a German composer and pianist of the early Romantic era, also known as Fanny Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Her compositions number over 450, and i…
Fanny Hensel, German pianist and composer (born 1805)
Emmanuel de Grouchy, marquis de Grouchy was a French military leader who served during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He was the last Marshal of the Empire …
Emmanuel de Grouchy, Marquis de Grouchy, French general (born 1766)
Thomas Chalmers, was a Scottish Presbyterian minister, professor of theology, political economist, and a leader of both the Church of Scotland and of the Free Church of Scotland. H…
Thomas Chalmers, Scottish minister and economist (born 1780)
Juan Larrea was a Spanish businessman and politician in Buenos Aires during the early nineteenth century. He headed a military unit during the second British invasion of the River …
Juan Larrea, Argentinian captain and politician (born 1782)
Rear-Admiral Sir John Franklin was a British Royal Navy officer, explorer and colonial administrator. After serving in the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, he led two expeditio…
John Franklin, English admiral and politician (born 1786)