Historical Events Apr 16 The University of Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is founded Famous Birthdays Apr 7 William Ellery Channing, American Unitarian clergyman Apr 13 Alexander Mitchell, Irish engineer (inventor of the screw-pile lighthouse), born in Dublin (d. 1868) Apr 29 Charles Nodier, French writer (History du chien the Brisquet), born in Besançon, France (d. 1844) Famous Deaths Apr 21 Ferdinand Zellbell the younger, Swedish composer and co-founder of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, dies at 60 1779 History by Year 1781