What Happened in April 1721

Historical Events


Event of interestEvent of Interest

Apr 3 Robert Walpole becomes Britain's 1st Lord of the Treasury - effective Prime Minister, although that term was never officially used (indeed, it was considered an insult) until much later

1st British Prime Minister Robert Walpole
1st British Prime Minister
Robert Walpole


Famous Birthdays

  • Apr 1 Pieter Hellendaal, Dutch violinist/organist/composer (Glees)
  • Apr 11 David Zeisberger, Moravian clergyman and missionary, born in Zauchtenthal, Moravia (d. 1808)
  • Apr 14 William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, English army leader, born in London (d. 1765)

Person of interestRoger Sherman

Apr 19 Roger Sherman, American lawyer and Founding Father of the United States (Declaration of Independence, Constitution), born in Newton, Massachusetts (d. 1793)

Founding Father of the United States Roger Sherman
Founding Father of the United States
Roger Sherman
  • Apr 24 Johann Philipp Kirnberger, German music theorist and violist, baptised in Saalfeld, Germany (d. 1783

Famous Deaths

  • Apr 14 Michel Chamillart, French statesman (b. 1652)

Person of interestMary Read

Apr 28 Mary Read, English pirate who operated in the Caribbean, dies of a violent fever while in prison and likely still pregnant aged 35 or 36

Pirate Mary Read
Pirate
Mary Read