Famous People Born In 1697

Canaletto was an Italian painter who achieved popularity in England as his works were largely appreciated by King George III. Regarded as one of the most prominent representatives of the 18th-century Venetian school, Canaletto was also renowned for his skills as a printmaker.

German-born John Peter Zenger moved to New York at 13 and joined the printing business immediately. He later gained fame with the New York Weekly Journal, which often attacked governor William Cosby, resulting in Zenger’s arrest. His acquittal in the libel suit is regarded as a landmark case in press freedom.

The son of surgeon John Munro, Alexander Monro followed in his father’s footsteps and became a leading surgeon and anatomist of his day. He, his son, and then his grandson held the Edinburgh University Chair of Anatomy for a collective 126 years. He was also named a Fellow of The Royal Society.

Italian operatic mezzo-soprano Faustina Bordoni was a prima donna of the 18th century. Known both for her vocal range and her beauty, she was a noblewoman who made her musical debut with Ariodante. She was a prominent rival of fellow opera singer Francesca Cuzzoni, and both were satirized in John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera.

Born to a professor of medicine, anatomist Bernhard Siegfried Albinus followed in his father’s footsteps and eventually became the Chair of Medicine at the University of Leiden. He is remembered for his ground-breaking discovery of the vascular connection between the mother and the fetus. He also refined anatomical illustrations.

An outstanding scholar and a prolific writer, Jacob Israel Emden was a leading German Rabbi, mostly remembered for his fierce opposition to the Shabbatean movement and his bitter dispute with Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschütz. Also interested in secular works, he had 31 works to his credit, five of which were published posthumously.

British admiral George Anson, or Baron Anson, is remembered for his exploits as an able naval administrator, especially during the War of Jenkins' Ear and the Seven Years’ War. His warship the Centurion was the first British warship to have entered Chinese territory. He also reformed the navy to a great extent.

French cartographer and geographer Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville is remembered for developing the art of map-making. His first significant work was a map of China. He later drew maps of various regions, such as India, Italy, and Africa. He was also named the first geographer to the French king.