May 16 Button Gwinnett, Georgia delegate to US Continental Congress, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, wounded in a duel with political rival Lachlan McIntosh
Famous Birthdays
May 4 Charles-Louis-Joseph Hanssens, Belgian composer, born in Ghent, Belgium (d. 1852)
May 28 Joseph-Henri-Ignace Mees, Flemish composer, born in Brussels, Belgium (d. 1858)
Famous Deaths
May 11 George Pigot, Baron Pigot, British governor of Madras, dies at 58
May 19 Button Gwinnett, British-born American politician, and signer of the Declaration of Independence,dies from wounds incurred in a duel with rival Lachlan McIntosh at 42
