Famous People Who Died In 1839

Scottish engineer William Murdoch initially worked for the firm of Matthew Boulton and James Watt. He later made a host of inventions and was the first to use coal gas for illumination. He was also known for his work on steam energy and invented the oscillating engine and the D slide valve.

Mahmud II reigned as the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1808 to 1839. His reign was marked by the extensive military, administrative, and fiscal reforms which he initiated. The reforms that he initiated eventually led to the formation of the modern Turkish Republic. He is also credited with rebuilding a strong naval force for the empire.

Fernando Sor was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist best remembered for writing solo classical guitar music. Widely regarded as the best classical guitarist of his generation, Fernando Sor also composed an opera, two ballets, and three symphonies. Many of his works have been studied by students and guitar enthusiasts all over the world.

Born to a militia officer, Sybil Ludington later made history with her fearless resistance to the British during the American Revolutionary War. Most of her statues today find her perched on a horse, in a tribute to her night-long horseback ride to inform American soldiers of an impending British attack.

British geologist William Smith, who is regarded as the Father of English Geology, is remembered for developing the science of stratigraphy. His geologic map of England and Wales was the world’s first nationwide and detailed geologic map. He was also the recipient of the first Wollaston Medal.

German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs is remembered for inventing a decimal scale used to measure the hardness of minerals, known as the Mohs scale. A professor at the University of Vienna, he later also became the curator of the Imperial Mineralogical Collection. He also laid down a system of classifying crystals.

The fifth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom, Khakaure Senusret III is regarded as a great pharaoh and perhaps the mightiest Egyptian ruler of the dynasty. His reign and military campaigns witnessed a period of great power leading to an era of peace, economic prosperity, decreased power of regional rulers and a complete reformation of Egypt’s government. 

Austrian painter of Neoclassicism Joseph Anton Koch, who was later influenced by the German Romantic movement, is probably the most noteworthy neoclassical landscape painter. Some of his notable works include Landscape with Abraham and the Three Angels in the Valley of Mambre, Waterfalls at Subiaco, Landscape with Bileam, and the four frescoes in the Dante Room of the Villa Massimi.

Leonor de Almeida Portugal, Marquise of Alorna was a Portuguese noblewoman, poet, and painter. One of the best known exponents of the Portuguese Neoclassic and Neoclassicism, Leonor was recognized as one of Europe's most prominent literary figures at the time. 

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.

Born into a Quaker household, Benjamin Lundy had developed anti-slavery sentiments quite early in life. He grew up to become one of the leading abolitionists of the 19th century. He also launched papers such as The National Enquirer and the anti-slavery association Union Humane Society.

John Batman was an Australian entrepreneur, grazier, and explorer. He is best remembered for his contribution in the Founding of Melbourne, which is now considered one of Australia's most important and largest cities. Numerous places in Australia have been named after John Batman.

Max Habicht was a Polish educator best remembered for teaching Arabic in Paris; he studied Arabic for 10 years under Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy. Max Habicht is also remembered for his recension of the popular work, One Thousand and One Nights.

A renowned Japanese painter of the late Tokugawa period and founder of the Kishi School of Painting, Kishi Ganku is noted for his realistic solid style. Beginning his education with the Kano style, he later studied Maruyama-Shijō school and also from Chinese painter Shen Nan-p’in. Mostly noted for his paintings of tigers, he also painted portraits, landscapes, flowers, and birds.  

Anders Danielsson was a Swedish politician and farmer. Best remembered for his strong will, Danielsson played an important role in almost all Riksdag meetings from early 1800s until his demise in 1839. Anders Danielsson also served as a representative of 27 districts.