What Happened in 1841

Douglass Speaks at Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society Convention

In 1841, Douglass spoke about his slave experiences at a convention of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society held on Nantucket Island. He... Read more

Viennese Dermatologist, Ferdinand von Hebra, Titles Skin Condition Psoriasis

While it may have been visually, and later semantically, confused with leprosy, it was not until 1841 that the condition was finally given the name... Read more

P. T. Barnum Purchases Scudder's American Museum

In 1841 Barnum bought Scudder’s American Museum located across from St. Paul’s on the southeast corner of Broadway and Ann Street. He transformed... Read more

Frederick de Moleyns Patents First Incandescent Light bulb

In 1841, Frederick de Moleyns of England was granted the first patent for an incandescent lamp, with a design using platinum wires contained within... Read more

Charles Dickens publishes Barnaby Rudge

Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty (commonly known as Barnaby Rudge) is an historical novel by the author Charles Dickens. Barnaby Rudge... Read more

William Henry Harrison is inaugurated as the ninth president of the United States

President Harrison has the dual distinction among all the Presidents of giving the longest inaugural speech and of serving the shortest term of... Read more

The Survivors Of The Amistad Mutiny Are Freed

The Supreme Court issued a ruling on March 9, 1841, freeing the remaining thirty-five survivors of the Amistad mutiny. Although seven of the nine... Read more

Edgar Allan Poe Becomes the Editor at Graham's Magazine

April 1841 Editing Again Poe begins as an editor at Graham's Magazine, where he works until May 1842. The magazine runs Poe's short story "The... Read more

Joseph Smith Jr. Marries Louisa Beaman

Joseph and Louisa were married on April 5, 1841, “in a grove Near Main Street in the City of Nauvoo, The Prophet Joseph dictating the ceremony and... Read more