What Happened This Year 1812

Born in 1812

Carl Christian Hall

Danish lawyer and Prime Minister
Born
February 25th, 1812 213 years ago
Died
1888 137 years ago — 76 years old

Served as the 6th Prime Minister of Denmark, holding office from 1857 to 1859. Contributed to legal reforms and the establishment of a parliamentary system. Undertook the role of a prominent politician during a transformative period in Danish politics. Involved in various political initiatives focused on modernization and governance.

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James Milne Wilson

Scottish-Australian politician and soldier
Born
February 29th, 1812 213 years ago
Died
February 29th, 1880 145 years ago — 68 years old

Born in Scotland, a soldier served in the British Army before migrating to Australia. Held significant political roles, becoming the eighth Premier of Tasmania. Focused on land reform and immigration policies. Contributed to the development of Tasmania during a period of growth and change in the colony's history.

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Augustus Pugin

Architect of the Palace of Westminster
Born
March 1st, 1812 213 years ago
Died
September 14th, 1852 172 years ago — 40 years old

An English architect contributed significantly to the Gothic Revival style in architecture. Co-designed the Palace of Westminster, which houses the UK Parliament, alongside Charles Barry. Emphasized the importance of honesty in architecture and advocated for the Gothic style as a reflection of the nation's identity. Wrote extensively on architecture and design, influencing the direction of the movement during the 19th century.

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Aaron Lufkin Dennison

Businessman and watchmaker pioneer
Born
March 6th, 1812 213 years ago
Died
January 9th, 1895 130 years ago — 82 years old

An American businessman played a significant role in the development of the American watch industry. Established a factory in Roxbury, Massachusetts, which contributed to the production of high-quality timepieces. Later moved to England, where he founded the first mass-produced watch company. Developed innovative manufacturing techniques that revolutionized watchmaking and significantly lowered costs. His efforts laid the groundwork for future advancements in the industry.

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Stephen Pearl Andrews

Author and advocate for social reform
Born
March 22nd, 1812 212 years ago
Died
1886 139 years ago — 74 years old

An author and activist, contributed to various social reform movements in the United States during the 19th century. Focused on issues like women's rights, abolition of slavery, and education reform. Published several works on social philosophy and proposed ideas related to social cooperation and a new economic model. Active in the movement for universal peace and criticized mainstream religions for their roles in societal issues.

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Alexander Herzen

Russian philosopher and author of 'My Past and Thoughts'
Born
April 6th, 1812 212 years ago
Died
January 21st, 1870 155 years ago — 57 years old

A prominent Russian philosopher and author, contributed significantly to the intellectual discourse of the 19th century. Advocated for social reforms during a time of political repression in Russia. Authored 'My Past and Thoughts', a seminal work reflecting on personal experiences and political ideas. Emigrated to France and became involved with Russian revolutionary movements, gaining a reputation as a leading voice for reform and modernization in Russia. Established the publishing house 'Kolokol' (The Bell), which circulated revolutionary ideas among Russians.

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George Grey

Soldier and 11th Prime Minister of New Zealand
Born
April 14th, 1812 212 years ago
Died
1898 127 years ago — 86 years old

Born in Portugal, a significant figure in the history of New Zealand, served as a soldier, explorer, and politician. Provided leadership during pivotal moments in New Zealand's early governance. Played a crucial role in the establishment of government structures and policies. His tenure as Prime Minister included negotiations with Māori chiefs and shaping colonial administration.

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Solomon Caesar Malan

Orientalist and translator of Hebrew texts
Born
April 22nd, 1812 212 years ago
Died
1894 131 years ago — 82 years old

Born in 1812, a Swiss-English orientalist focused on Hebrew literature and biblical studies. Contributed to the understanding of early Jewish culture and languages. Worked extensively on translating Hebrew texts into English and was instrumental in promoting Hebrew scholarship. Also engaged in various educational and editorial projects related to Jewish studies, influencing the academic field through published works and translation efforts.

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Frederick Whitaker

New Zealand lawyer and 5th Prime Minister
Born
April 23rd, 1812 212 years ago
Died
1891 134 years ago — 79 years old

Born in England, a legal career commenced after graduation and eventual relocation to New Zealand. Served as the 5th Prime Minister of New Zealand, leading the country during significant political changes. His administration focused on developing the legal framework for a growing colony and managing internal conflicts. Active in politics, also held roles as a member of the House of Representatives and Colonial Secretary. Involved in land development issues and legislation related to immigration and governance.

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