Famous People Born In 1779

Discover the most famous people born in 1779. The list includes people like William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, Francis Scott Key, Thomas Moore, Joseph Story, Carl Ritter and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include poets, explorers, historians and political leaders born in 1779. This list includes people from England, United States and many more countries.
Vote for Your Favourite Person

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
Francis Scott Key
9
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 1st August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Died: January 11, 1843
 2 
Thomas Moore
(Irish Poet and Singer Known for His Lyrics to the Popular Song ‘The Last Rose of Summer’)
Thomas Moore
2
Listed In: Composers
Birthdate: 28th May
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: March 25, 1852

Irish author Thomas Moore was chiefly branded a Whig ally. It is believed he had a role in burning the memoirs of his friend Lord Byron, an act now considered a literary crime. His iconic Irish Melodies contained his most popular works, such as The Last Rose of Summer.

 3 
Zebulon Pike
(Explorer, Military personnel)
Zebulon Pike
0
Listed In: Explorers
Birthdate: 5th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lamberton, New Jersey
Died: April 27, 1813

American army officer Zebulon Pike is best remembered for his exploration of areas around the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. While traversing through the southern Colorado region, he was detained by Spanish colonial authorities. He lent his name to the famed Pikes Peak in Colorado.

Recommended Lists:
 4 
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
(Chemist, Non-fiction writer, University teacher)
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
0
Listed In: Chemists
Birthdate: 20th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Östergötland
Died: August 7, 1848

Jöns Jacob Berzelius was a Swedish chemist who is often counted among the founders of modern chemistry alongside Robert Boyle, Antoine Lavoisier, and John Dalton. He is also referred to as the Father of Swedish Chemistry. Jöns Jacob Berzelius is also credited with making immense contributions to the field of stoichiometry. In 1836, he was honored with the Copley Medal.

 5 
Carl Ritter
(Co-founder of Modern Geography)
Carl Ritter
3
Listed In: Geographers
Birthdate: 7th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Quedlinburg, Germany
Died: September 28, 1859

Carl Ritter was a German geographer considered one of the founders of modern geography. He taught history at the University of Berlin and was one of the mentors of the explorer Heinrich Barth, who traveled in Northern and Western Africa. A prolific researcher and writer, Ritter produced a staggering amount of geographical literature in his lifetime. 

 6 
Clement Clarke Moore
(Author)
Clement Clarke Moore
0
Listed In: Poets
Birthdate: 15th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Died: July 10, 1863
Recommended Lists:
 7 
Elizabeth Alexeievna
(Aristocrat)
Elizabeth Alexeievna
0
Birthdate: 24th January
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Baden
Died: May 16, 1826
 8 
Peter Mark Roget
(Lexicographer)
Peter Mark Roget
1
Birthdate: 18th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Soho
Died: September 12, 1869
 9 
Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia
(Duke)
Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 27th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pushkin, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: June 27, 1831
Recommended Lists:
 10 
Joseph Story
(Lawyer & Jurist)
Joseph Story
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 18th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Marblehead
Died: September 10, 1845
 11 
John By
(British Military Engineer Best Known for Having Supervised the Construction of the Rideau Canal)
John By
0
Listed In: Civil Engineers
Birthdate: 7th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Lambeth, London, England
Died: February 1, 1836

One of the major figures behind the development of the city of Ottawa, military engineer John By had created the Rideau Canal, which connected Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River. He was also charged with over-running the costs for the project but was eventually acquitted of all charges.

 12 
Stephen Decatur
(Officer)
Stephen Decatur
42
Listed In: Soldiers
Birthdate: 5th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Berlin
Died: March 22, 1820
Recommended Lists:
 13 
Mustafa IV
(Sultan)
Mustafa IV
1
Listed In: Emperors & Kings
Birthdate: 8th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Istanbul
Died: November 17, 1808
 14 
Friedrich Carl von Savigny
(Jurist)
Friedrich Carl von Savigny
0
Birthdate: 21st February
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
Died: October 25, 1861
 15 
Adam Oehlenschläger
(Poet)
Adam Oehlenschläger
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 14th November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: January 20, 1850
Recommended Lists:
 16 
Jean Coralli
(French Ballet Dancer and Choreographer, Best Known for Collaborating with 'Jules Perrot' in Creating 'Giselle')
Jean Coralli
1
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: 15th January
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: May 1, 1854

Best known for co-creating the romantic ballet Giselle with Jules Perrot, Jean Coralli was associated with La Scala in Milan and Porte-Saint-Martin Theater in Paris. The famed ballet dancer and choreographer, who was the son of a Théâtre Italien comedian, also excelled in works such as La Péri and La Tentation.

 17 
Shah Ismail Dehlvi
(Scholar)
Shah Ismail Dehlvi
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 26th April
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Phulat, India
Died: May 6, 1831

Apart from being the grandson of famous Islamic scholar Shah Waliullah Dehlawi, Shah Ismail Dehlvi was also associated with the jihad of Syed Ahmad Barelvi. He was part of the Tariqah-i-Muhammadiyah, a movement, meant to cleanse Islam from Hindu practices, and was later killed in a battle with Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

 18 
Joseph Clement
(British Engineer Who Was the Maker of 'Charles Babbage’s' First 'Difference Engine')
Joseph Clement
0
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: 13th June
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Asby, England
Died: February 28, 1844

Born to a weaver, Joseph Clement himself initially worked as a weaver and learned metal work. He began building power looms and then moved to London, where he worked with top engineering firms. His best achievement was his collaboration with Charles Babbage in building Babbage’s Difference Engine.

Recommended Lists:
 19 
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
(Former British Prime Minister)
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 15th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London, England
Died: November 24, 1848

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, or Lord Melbourne, was a Whig and a close advisor of Queen Victoria. Apart from being the leader of the opposition, he had also been the British prime minister. However, he was known more for his love for theology and literature than his political exploits.

 20 
Madeleine Sophie Barat
(Saint)
Madeleine Sophie Barat
1
Listed In: Saints
Birthdate: 12th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Joigny, France
Died: May 25, 1865
 21 
John Galt
(Novelist)
John Galt
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: 2nd May
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
Died: April 11, 1839

John Galt was a Scottish entrepreneur, novelist, and social and political commentator. Often referred to as the first English-language political novelist, Galt wrote extensively on issues pertaining to the Industrial Revolution. John Galt is also known as the father of Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, who went on to become one of the fathers of the Canadian Confederation.

Recommended Lists:
 22 
Joel Roberts Poinsett
(15th US Secretary of War (1837 – 1841))
Joel Roberts Poinsett
1
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: 2nd March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Died: December 12, 1851

Joel Roberts Poinsett was an American diplomat, physician, and slave owner. He served as the United States Minister to Mexico from 1 June 1825 to 17 October 1829. He also served as the 15th US Secretary of War from 7 March 1837 to 4 March 1841. 

 23 
Charles Chubb
(Businessman)
Charles Chubb
0
Listed In: Inventors
Birthdate: 30th November
Birthplace: Fordingbridge, England
Died: May 16, 1845
 24 
Mountstuart Elphinstone
(Statesman)
Mountstuart Elphinstone
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 6th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dumbarton, Dumbartonshire, Scotland
Died: November 20, 1859
Recommended Lists:
 25 
Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough
(Officer)
Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough
1
Listed In: Military Leaders
Birthdate: 3rd November
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Annacotty, Ireland
Died: March 2, 1869
 26 
Lorenz Oken
(One of the Most Prominent German Natural Philosophers of the 19th Century)
Lorenz Oken
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: 1st August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bohlsbach, Germany
Died: August 11, 1851

German naturalist and botanist Lorenz Oken is remembered as one of the most significant German natural philosophers of the 19th century and a leader of the Naturphilosophie movement. His studies on Wolfgang von Goethe’s theory on the vertebrate skull helped prepare ground for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

 27 
Antoine-Henri Jomini
(Swiss Military Officer)
Antoine-Henri Jomini
1
Listed In: Military Leaders
Birthdate: 6th March
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Payerne, Switzerland
Died: March 24, 1869
Recommended Lists:
 28 
Horace Smith
(Poet)
Horace Smith
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 31st December
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England
Died: July 12, 1849
 29 
Francis IV, Duke of Modena
(Prince)
Francis IV, Duke of Modena
1
Birthdate: 6th October
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Milan, Italy
Died: January 21, 1846
 30 
Princess Antoinette of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
(Princess)
Princess Antoinette of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
1
Birthdate: 28th August
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Coburg, Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Germany
Died: March 14, 1824
Recommended Lists:
 31 
Louis de Freycinet
(Navigator)
Louis de Freycinet
0
Listed In: Explorers
Birthdate: 7th August
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montélimar, France
Died: August 18, 1841
 32 
Paul Moody
(American inventor and mechanic)
Paul Moody
0
Listed In: Inventors
Birthdate: 23rd May
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Byfield, Massachusetts
Died: July 5, 1831
 33 
William Hedley
(Engineer)
William Hedley
0
Listed In: Inventors
Birthdate: 13th July
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Newburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Died: January 9, 1843
Recommended Lists:
 34 
Nathaniel Wells
(Magistrate, Slaveholder)
Nathaniel Wells
0
Birthdate: 10th September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Saint Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Died: May 13, 1852
 35 
Auguste Gaspard Louis Desnoyers
(Engraver)
Auguste Gaspard Louis Desnoyers
0
Listed In: Artists
Birthdate: 19th December
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: February 16, 1857
 36 
Herman Wedel Jarlsberg
(Statesman)
Herman Wedel Jarlsberg
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 21st September
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montpellier, France
Died: August 27, 1840
Recommended Lists: