Famous People Who Died In 1886

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1886. This list includes people like Emily Dickinson, Chester A. Arthur, Franz Liszt, John Deere, Sir Charles Trevelyan, 1st Baronet and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, spiritual & religious leaders, non-fiction writers and composers who died in 1886. This list includes people from United States, England and many more countries.
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 1 
Emily Dickinson
(One of the Leading 19th-Century American Poets)
Emily Dickinson
28
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 10, 1830
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
Died: May 15
Victorian-era poet Emily Dickinson apparently wrote around 1800 poems, mostly revolving around themes such as death and immortality. However, she was a recluse, dressed up in white, and mostly interacted with people through correspondence. Her poems were mostly without titles and had short lines, slant rhyme, and unconventional punctuation.
 2 
Chester A. Arthur
(The 21st president of the United States)
Chester A. Arthur
13
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 5, 1829
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Fairfield, Vermont, United States
Died: November 18
Chester A. Arthur became the 21st president of the U.S. in 1881, after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, and served till 1885. Arthur represented Elizabeth Jennings Graham in the 1854 case against segregation in streetcars. He signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act and rebuilt the U.S. Navy.
 3 
Franz Liszt
(Composer, Pianist and Teacher of the Romantic Era)
Franz Liszt
14
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 22, 1811
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Raiding, Austria
Died: July 31

Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer, conductor, arranger, music teacher, and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era. Considered one of the greatest pianists ever, Liszt's works influenced his contemporaries and successors alike. Perhaps his greatest legacy is his work as a teacher, although his rich body of work might suggest otherwise; he taught people like Karl Klindworth among other pianists.

 4 
John Deere
(Founder of 'Deere & Company')
John Deere
15
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: February 7, 1804
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rutland, Vermont, United States
Died: May 17
 5 
Leopold von Ranke
(German Historian and a Founder of Modern Source-Based History)
Leopold von Ranke
1
Birthdate: December 21, 1795
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Wiehe, Roßleben-Wiehe, Germany
Died: May 23

Leopold von Ranke was a German historian who had a major influence on Western historiography. A respected historian, Ranke is credited with founding modern source-based history. When he was ennobled in 1865, honors poured in from several historians and scholars across the world.

 6 
Richard Dadd
(Painter, Illustrator)
Richard Dadd
1
Birthdate: August 1, 1817
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Chatham
Died: January 7
 7 
Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut
(Writer)
Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 31, 1823
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: near Stateburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Died: November 22
 8 
Amilcare Ponchielli
(Opera composer)
Amilcare Ponchielli
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: August 31, 1834
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Paderno Ponchielli, Italy
Died: January 16
 9 
Charles Francis Adams Sr.
(Former United States Representative)
Charles Francis Adams Sr.
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 18, 1807
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: November 21

Charles Francis Adams Sr. was an American writer, historical editor, diplomat, and politician. He played a key role during the American Civil War, serving as the US Minister to the UK under Abraham Lincoln; he used his diplomacy to not recognize the Confederacy and keep the British government neutral. He is credited with building Adams National Historical Park.

 10 
Pîhtokahanapiwiyin
(Chief)
Pîhtokahanapiwiyin
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1842 AD
Birthplace: Battleford, Canada
Died: July 4
 11 
Ludwig II of Bavaria
(King of Bavaria (1864 - 1886))
Ludwig II of Bavaria
14
Birthdate: August 25, 1845
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, Germany
Died: June 13

Ludwig II of Bavaria reigned as the King of Bavaria from 10 March 1864 until his death on 13 June 1886. He is best remembered for overseeing the construction of lavish palaces like Linderhof Palace, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Herrenchiemsee. This extravagance brought about his downfall as he was declared insane, which remains a subject of discussion.

 12 
John Humphrey Noyes
(American Preacher, Radical Religious Philosopher, and Utopian Socialist)
John Humphrey Noyes
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 3, 1811
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brattleboro, Vermont, United States
Died: April 13

John Humphrey Noyes was an American preacher, religious philosopher, and utopian socialist. He was the founder of the Putney, Oneida, and Wallingford Communities. He decided to devote his life to religion at a young age and studied at the Yale Theological Seminary. He was also involved in political activism and helped organize an anti-slavery society in the United States. 

 13 
Alexander Ostrovsky
(Russian Playwright)
Alexander Ostrovsky
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 12, 1823
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: June 14

One of the greatest Russian playwrights to have ever lived, Alexander Ostrovsky represented the realistic period. A law school graduate, he initially worked as a law clerk. His play Bankrot was banned because of its controversial topic. He was also associated with the Maly Theatre of Moscow.

 14 
David Hunter
(Military officer)
David Hunter
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 21, 1802
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Died: February 2
 15 
Winfield Scott Hancock
(Military officer)
Winfield Scott Hancock
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 14, 1824
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: February 9
 16 
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa
(Spiritual & Religious Leader)
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa
10
Birthdate: February 18, 1836
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kamarpukur, West Bengal, India
Died: August 16

The widely revered Hindu religious leader and saint who had a large following was known for promoting the ancient Indian philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and Bhakti. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a devotee of Goddess Kali who he worshipped as the universal mother. His marriage to Sharada Devi was never consummated. Swami Vivekanada was the most famous disciple of the Bengal-born mystic.

 17 
Ned Buntline
(Publisher)
Ned Buntline
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 20, 1821
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Harpersfield, New York, United States
Died: July 18
 18 
Joseph Tichatschek
(Opera singer)
Joseph Tichatschek
11
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 11, 1807
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Teplice nad Metují, Czechia
Died: January 18
 19 
Calvin Ellis Stowe
(Biblical scholar)
Calvin Ellis Stowe
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 6, 1802
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Natick, Massachusetts, United States
Died: August 22
 20 
José Hernández
(Journalist)
José Hernández
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 10, 1834
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: October 21

Argentine poet José Hernández is best known for his long epic poem Martín Fierro. Having spent a part of his life in the pampas, he learned the ways and means of the gauchos and often described them in his works, such as The Gaucho Martin Fierro, a fine work of gaucho poetry.

 21 
John Russell Bartlett
(American Linguist and Historian)
John Russell Bartlett
0
Birthdate: October 23, 1805
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Died: May 28
 22 
Paul Bert
(French Physiologist Who is Referred to as the 'Father of Aviation Medicine')
Paul Bert
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: October 17, 1833
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Auxerre, France
Died: November 11

Paul Bert was a French physiologist, zoologist, and politician. Referred to as the Father of Aviation Medicine, Bert is best remembered for his 1878 work La Pression barometrique, which explains the physiological effects of air-pressure. Paul Bert is also credited with describing oxygen toxicity for the first time.

 23 
Henry Hobson Richardson
0
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: September 29, 1838
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: St. James Parish, Louisiana, United States
Died: April 27

Architect Henry Hobson Richardson is best remembered for introducing what later came to be known as Richardsonian Romanesque. The great-grandson of scientist Joseph Priestley, he was educated at Harvard. Initially an aspiring civil engineer, he later drifted to architecture. His works included libraries, commercial buildings, and the Trinity Church.

 24 
Marco Minghetti
(Prime Minister of Italy from 1873 to 1876)
Marco Minghetti
0
Birthdate: November 18, 1818
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy
Died: December 10
 25 
Saint Kizito
(Youngest Martyrs of Uganda)
Saint Kizito
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1872 AD
Birthplace: Buganda
Died: June 3
 26 
John Williamson Nevin
(Theologian)
John Williamson Nevin
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 20, 1803
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Strasburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: June 6
 27 
Maria Vicenta Rosal
(Nun)
Maria Vicenta Rosal
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 26, 1820
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Died: August 24
 28 
Dave Rudabaugh
(Cowboy)
Dave Rudabaugh
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 14, 1854
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Fulton County, Illinois, United States
Died: February 18
 29 
Zeenat Mahal
(Bahadur Shah Zafar's wife)
Zeenat Mahal
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1823 AD
Birthplace: India
Died: July 17
 30 
Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria-Este
(Princess)
Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria-Este
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 14, 1817
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Modena, Italy
Died: March 25
 31 
Ann S. Stephens
(Author)
Ann S. Stephens
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 30, 1810
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Seymour, Connecticut, United States
Died: August 20
 32 
Wilhelm Scherer
(Historian, Philologist)
Wilhelm Scherer
0
Birthdate: April 26, 1841
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Göllersdorf, Austria
Died: August 6
 33 
Diocletian Lewis
(Homeopath, Activist)
Diocletian Lewis
0
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: March 3, 1823
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Auburn, New York, United States
Died: May 21
 34 
Marcus Kann
(Austrian Chess Player)
Marcus Kann
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: 1820 AD
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: February 3
 35 
Anne Ayres
(American Episcopal Nun and Founder of the First Episcopalian Religious Order for Women)
Anne Ayres
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 3, 1816
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England
Died: February 9

Cofounder and the First Sister of the Sisterhood of the Holy Communion, Anne Ayres was initiated into religious life by William Augustus Muhlenberg. She later took up many charity works, eventually working with Muhlenberg to direct both housekeeping and nursing work at St. Luke's hospital and open St. Johnland. Also an established author, she had several books to her credit

 36 
Charles William Peach
(Geologist)
Charles William Peach
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: September 30, 1800
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Wansford, England
Died: February 28
 37 
Julia Evelina Smith
(Translator)
Julia Evelina Smith
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 27, 1792
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Glastonbury, Connecticut, United States
Died: March 6
 38 
Johan Nicolai Madvig
(Danish Philologist and Kultus Minister)
Johan Nicolai Madvig
0
Birthdate: August 7, 1804
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bornholm, Denmark
Died: December 12

Johan Nicolai Madvig was a Danish philologist and politician. He is best remembered for his service as the Kultus Minister of Denmark in the Moltke II cabinet. However, he left the cabinet in 1851 in order to protest the government's unity state program. From 1856 to 1863, Johan Nicolai Madvig served as the leader of the National Liberal Party.

 39 
Erminnie A. Smith
(Anthropologist)
Erminnie A. Smith
0
Birthdate: April 26, 1836
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: June 9
 40 
Eduard Robert Flegel
(German Explorer Who Identified the Source of the Benue River at Ngaundere)
Eduard Robert Flegel
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 13, 1855
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Died: September 11

Eduard Robert Flegel was a German explorer. He played a prominent role in the Partition of Africa. Flegel was commissioned by the German African Society to explore the Benue River basin. During the exploration in 1882, Eduard Robert Flegel identified the source of the Benue River at Ngaundere.

 41 
Frederick Guthrie
(Physicist, Chemist)
Frederick Guthrie
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: October 15, 1833
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bayswater, London, United Kingdom
Died: October 21
 42 
Charles John Seghers
(Clergyman)
Charles John Seghers
0
Birthdate: December 26, 1839
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ghent, Belgium
Died: November 28
 43 
William S. Clark
(Professor)
William S. Clark
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 31, 1826
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ashfield, Massachusetts, United States
Died: March 9
 44 
Amos Adams Lawrence
Amos Adams Lawrence
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 31, 1814
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Groton, Massachusetts
Died: August 22
 45 
Samuel J. Tilden
(Governor)
Samuel J. Tilden
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 9, 1814
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New Lebanon, New York, United States
Died: August 4
 46 
Edward William Godwin
(Architect)
Edward William Godwin
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 26, 1833
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bristol, England
Died: October 6
 47 
Eliza Lynch
(Former First Lady of Paraguay)
Eliza Lynch
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 19, 1833
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Died: July 27
 48 
David Levy Yulee
(Notably the first Jewish member of the U.S. Senate)
David Levy Yulee
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 12, 1810
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
Died: October 10
 49 
Randolph Caldecott
(Artist)
Randolph Caldecott
1
Birthdate: March 22, 1846
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chester, England
Died: February 12
 50 
Adolphe Monticelli
(Painter)
Adolphe Monticelli
1
Birthdate: October 14, 1824
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Died: June 29