Famous People Who Died In 1779

British explorer, navigator, and cartographer James Cook, who had also served the merchant navy and Royal Navy, was the first to complete an expedition around New Zealand. He explored areas in the South Pacific, such as eastern Australia and Hawaii. He was killed while trying to kidnap a Hawaiian king.

Kazimierz Pułaski was a Polish nobleman, military commander, and soldier. Dubbed the father of the American cavalry, Pulaski is credited with creating the Pulaski Cavalry Legion and reorganizing the American cavalry. He played an important role in the American Revolutionary War and is remembered for fighting for the independence of Poland and the United States.

Emperor Go-Momozono was the Emperor of Japan who reigned from 1771 until his death in 1779 at the age of 21. His reign was marked by a series of natural disasters that resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the destruction of several properties. Emperor Go-Momozono became ill and adopted a son named Morohito on his deathbed.

Ethiopian nobleman Mikael Sehul ruled as a regent for 25 years and successfully put an end to the 27-century-old Solomonid dynasty. He first got the opportunity to be a regent when he was asked to assist the emperor Iyoas to counter an invasion by the Oromo community.

Eleazar Wheelock was an 18th-century Congregational minister, orator, and educator in Lebanon. He was the founder of the Moor's Charity School, which he started to educate Native Americans. Later on, he founded Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, with the primary motive of educating the sons of American colonists. He was a long-term slave owner.