Famous People Born In 1759

Mary Wollstonecraft was an English writer, advocate of women's rights, and philosopher. Wollstonecraft, who attracted a lot of attention for her unconventional personal relationships, is widely considered a founding feminist philosopher. Although her unorthodoxy initially attracted criticisms, her advocacy of women's equality became increasingly important during the 20th century. Modern-day feminists cite her works and her life as important influences.

Friedrich Schiller was a German poet, physician, philosopher, playwright, and historian. Schiller is best remembered for his friendship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the two discussed issues concerning aesthetics. Schiller's discussions with Goethe paved the way for a period, which came to be known as Weimar Classicism. Friedrich Schiller is also widely regarded as Germany's most prominent classical playwright.

Georges Danton was a major figure in the early stages of the French Revolution. While many historians state that he played a key role in the establishment of the First French Republic, a few scholars refute this claim. He served as the first president of the Committee of Public Safety and was beheaded by the advocates of revolutionary terror. 

British statesman, William Pitt the Younger, became the youngest prime minister of Great Britain in 1783 when he was just 24. During his stint as the prime minister, he was also Chancellor of the Exchequer. Several major political events,  including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, happened during his tenure.  He is ranked highly among all British Prime Ministers.

British-American William Thornton was initially trained in medicine and that is when he began drawing and sketching as part of his medical notes. He later won a contest for the design of the Library Company of Philadelphia's new hall. He also designed the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Belgian-born French painter and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté, also known as the Raphael of flowers, was a famous court painter and one of the greatest botanical illustrators of his time. Known for his iconic pieces such as Les Liliacées, he was a specialist of painting roses, too.

François Hanriot was a Sans-culotte leader and street orator. He played an important role during the French Revolution, commanding the National Guard. He played a crucial role in the insurrection of May 31 to 2 June 1793 which resulted in the fall of the Girondins. François Hanriot’s arrest and execution went a long way in ending the Reign of Terror.

Charles Simeon was an evangelical Anglican clergyman. An influential leader among evangelical churchmen, Charles Simeon co-founded the Church Missionary Society. He also helped found the Church's Ministry Among Jewish People in 1809. In 2001, Charles Simeon Trust was established in his honor. In 2014, the Charles Simeon Institute was founded in his honor.

American engineer and inventor Nathan Read was a steam pioneer. He invented, most notably, the multi-tubular boiler and the high-pressure steam engine, which was different from James Watt’s steam engine. Read’s engine was much lighter and safer, required less fuel and space, and was more convenient and portable. It could be widely used in new fields like steamboat and land-transport.

Copley Medal-winning British horticulturalist Thomas Andrew Knight is best remembered for his study of the movement of sap in plants and the impact of gravity on the growth of plants. He was also the Royal Horticultural Society’s second president. His initial works found a place in the Royal Society’s Philosophical Transactions.

One of the best-known figures of Hungarian literature, poet, author, and translator Ferenc Kazinczy made significant contribution to the development of the Hungarian language. A qualified lawyer and a civil servant, he was once also imprisoned for political conspiracy.  He also co-founded the Hungarian Academy.

Thomas Thorild was a Swedish poet, philosopher, critic, and feminist. He is best remembered for promoting women's rights and gender equality. Thorild was popular among women not only for his ideas of gender equality but also for his good looks. Thomas Thorild also served as a librarian and professor at the University of Greifswald.

Carl Erik Mannerheim was a Swedish–Finnish statesman and soldier. From 1822 to 1826, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Economic Division. A member of the Diet of Porvoo, Carl Erik Mannerheim was also involved in the formation of Grand Duchy's institutions.

Scottish engineer and political economist William Playfair is best-remembered as the inventor of statistical graphs and secret agent for Great Britain during its war with France. He published the first data graphs in his book The Commercial and Political Atlas. He used line, area and bar charts to represent the economy of 18th Century England and introduced the pie chart.