Timeline August 1848

Events in August 1848 5

• 1779 – 1848 Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848) Died 7 August 1848, aged 68 Swedish chemist who devised modern chemical symbols and measured atomic weights accurately. He discovered the elements cerium, selenium and thorium. He is counted among the founders of modern chemistry.
• 1781 – 1848 George Stephenson (1781-1848) Died 12 August 1848, aged 67 English engineer known as the Father of Railways. He built the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. His track gauge of 4 ft 8½ in became the standard gauge used across much of the world.
• 1792 – 1848 Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) Died 9 August 1848, aged 56 British Royal Navy officer and novelist, an early writer of sea stories. His books include Mr Midshipman Easy and The Children of the New Forest. He also devised a widely used system of maritime signal flags.
• 1848 Battle of Boomplaats British defeat Boer forces north of the Orange River British troops under Sir Harry Smith defeated Boers led by Andries Pretorius on 29 August. The victory confirmed British control of the Orange River Sovereignty. Many Boers moved north across the Vaal River.
• 1848 Public Health Act passed in Britain First major British public health law The Public Health Act received royal assent on 31 August, as cholera returned to Britain. It created a General Board of Health and allowed local boards to manage drainage, sewers and water supply. It was a foundation of modern sanitary reform.