Timeline

1809

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

Jan04

Inventions & Science

Louis Braille is born

On January 4, 1809, Louis Braille is born in Coupvray, France. He would go on to develop the writing system for visually impaired readers that bears his name: braille.

Jan19

Arts & Entertainment

Edgar Allan Poe is born

On January 19, 1809, poet, author and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe is born in Boston, Massachusetts.

(Original Caption) Portrait of American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). Undated illustration, after a photo by Matthew Brady.

Bettmann Archive

Feb12

U.S. Presidents

Abraham Lincoln is born

Future U.S. president Abraham Lincoln is born in Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809.

Apr19

U.S. Presidents

Thomas Jefferson sells indentured servant to newly elected President James Madison

On April 19, 1809, former President Thomas Jefferson writes up a contract for the sale of an indentured servant named John Freeman to newly sworn-in President James Madison.

Oct11

19th Century

Meriwether Lewis dies along the Natchez Trace, Tennessee

On October 11, 1809, the famous explorer Meriwether Lewis dies under mysterious circumstances in the early hours of the morning after stopping for the night at Grinder’s Tavern along the Natchez Trace in Tennessee.

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