Famous People Born In 1809

A self-educated lawyer, Abraham Lincoln rose from modest background to become one of the greatest presidents of America. The 16th president of the country, who is also known as Honest Abe and the Great Emancipator, played a crucial role in establishing a truly democratic government, abolished slavery, modernised economy and led the country during the American Civil War.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities in the history of mankind, Charles Darwin was an English biologist, naturalist, and geologist. He is credited with publishing the Theory of Evolution, which explains the evolution of life from a unicellular organism to human beings. A prolific writer, Charles Darwin also wrote important books on plants and barnacles.

American writer Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as the architect of modern short story, the inventor of the detective-fiction genre and a major contributor towards science fiction genre. The influential writer is recognised for his tales of mystery and macabre. His notable works include The Raven (poem), The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher (short stories).

Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer of the early Romantic period. He was also a skilled organist, pianist, and conductor. He composed symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and organ music. His collection of lyrical piano songs Songs Without Words is among his best-known works. He was the founder of the public university The Leipzig Conservatory. He died aged just 38. 

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was a British poet. One of the most famous British poets of all time, Tennyson served as the Poet Laureate during Queen Victoria's reign. His poetry, which is renowned for its powerful visual imagery, served as an important influence on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of English poets and painters.

A frontiersman and a fur-trapper, Kit Carson played a major role in the US’s westward expansion. Mostly known for guiding explorer John C. Frémont, he was criticized for his contribution to the displacement of native Americans as an Indian agent. He became part of folk legend for his exploits as a fighter, too.

Hannibal Hamlin was an American politician and attorney whose public service career spanned more than five decades. The 15th vice president of the US, Hamlin is often counted among the most influential politicians from the state of Maine. Several places in the US, especially in Maine, have been named in his honor. There are also statues in Hannibal Hamlin's likeness.  

William Ewart Gladstone was a British politician and statesman. During a career that spanned six decades, Gladstone served as prime minister of the UK for 12 years, which included four different terms. Often counted among Britain's greatest leaders, Gladstone has been portrayed in several films and television series, such as Parnell, The Prime Minister, Edward the Seventh, and Number 10.

Renowned meteorologist and aeronaut James Glaisher was a pioneer of balloon flights and had penned the iconic book Travels in the Air. He had also contributed to the formation of the Meteorological Society and the Aeronautical Society of Britain. The 2019 movie The Aeronauts depicts his exploits as a balloonist.

Nigerian linguist and clergyman Samuel Ajayi Crowther was the first African Anglican bishop of West Africa. Sold into slavery during childhood, Crowther was eventually freed by West Africa Squadron of Royal Navy. He resettled in Sierra Leone, received his education in English, adopted Christianity and was ordained as a minister in England, being consecrated a bishop on St Peter's day. 

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio was an Anglo-Indian poet who became the assistant headmaster of Hindu College, Kolkata. He was born to a Christian Indo-Portuguese father and an English mother in British India. A brilliant young man, he was a radical thinker of his time, and his activities kindled the intellectual revolution in Bengal. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 22.  

Juliusz Słowacki was a Polish Romantic poet. Counted among the Three Bards of Polish literature, Słowacki is often referred to as the father of modern Polish drama. However, Juliusz Słowacki was not popular during his lifetime and none of his dramas were performed on stage. His works were popularized after his death by the writers of the Young Poland period.

Hermann Grassmann was a German polymath remembered for his work in linear algebra, although he wasn’t acknowledged as a mathematician for most part of his life. His work Die lineale Ausdehnungslehre, ein neuer Zweig der Mathematik was revolutionary in the field of mathematics and was far ahead of its time. During his lifetime, he was only known as a linguist.

German philosopher Bruno Bauer is best remembered as a student of legendary German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel. Part of the group of intellectuals known as Young Hegelians, he was also a staunch Rationalist. He not only questioned the origin of Christ but was also accused of anti-semitism.

A qualified physician and psychiatrist, Heinrich Hoffmann managed the state mental hospital of Frankfurt on Main. However, he is best known as an author of children’s books and for his creation Struwwelpeter, or Slovenly Peter, a character with a naughty personality and a weird appearance, initially created for his son.

Bénédict Morel was a French psychiatrist born in Austria. He was abandoned by his parents and had a difficult childhood. He worked hard to earn a medical doctorate and worked alongside psychiatrist Jean-Pierre Falret. He soon became an influential psychiatrist himself and was a key figure in the field of degeneration theory in the mid-19th century. 

Scottish physicist James David Forbes is best remembered for his research on glaciers and heat conduction and for his invention of the seismometer. A University of Edinburgh professor, he later won both the Rumford Medal and the Gold Medal of The Royal Society for his achievements.

Best known for his expedition to North America, accompanying explorer Prince Maximilian, artist Karl Bodmer created realistic illustrations of various North American natives for Maximilian’s book. Initially trained in art by his engraver uncle, he later became a major figure of the French Barbizon School of art.

German-Finnish composer- conductor Fredrik Pacius, reputed as "Father of Finnish music" is best-known for composing music of Maamme, the de facto national anthem of Finland, with lyrics written by Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Melody of the piece was used for national anthem of Estonia, Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm; as also for the Livonian ethnic anthem Min izāmō, min sindimō.

Revolutionary leader Louis Charles Delescluze was a significant figure of the Paris Commune. As a student activist, he joined the Amis du Peuple and briefly fled to Brussels after being accused of plotting to kill King Louis-Philippe. He was eventually shot to death at the Commune barricades.

Elizabeth Greenfield was an American singer best remembered for her performances of music composed by Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and George Frideric Handel. Nicknamed The Black Swan, Elizabeth Greenfield is regarded as the most popular black concert artist of her generation. Among her pupils was Thomas Bowers, who went on to become a famous concert artist.

German geologist, mineralogist, and paleontologist Friedrich August von Quenstedt defined the stratigraphic sequence of rocks and fossils of the Jurassic Period in the Swabian region of Germany. Later, five genera and the mineral quenstedtite were named in his honor. He taught at the University of Tübingen.

Nikolai Gogol was a Ukrainian author who redefined Russian literature with his novels such as Dead Souls and his short stories such as The Overcoat and Diary of a Madman. Most of his works were influenced by Ukrainian folklore. He was typically fond of the grotesque as a literary element.

German-American botanist, physician, and meteorologist George Engelmann is known for his study of Phylloxera Vastatrix. He is also noted for his botanical monographs, particularly his two major works on cacti and A Monography of North American Cuscutineae. He played vital role in elucidating flora of the west of North America that till such time was not much known to Europeans.

Two-time president of Chile, Manuel Montt was not just a qualified lawyer but also gained repute as a distinguished scholar. He had also held the ministries of foreign affairs and public instruction and supported academic growth of Chile. Post-retirement, he served as the president of the Supreme Court.