May

John Forster is unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Commons, replacing Alan Brodrick

May 19, 1710

James Boswell, Scottish biographer of Samuel Johnson- died.

May 19, 1795

James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck (October 29, 1740 - May 19, 1795) was a lawyer, diarist, and author born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Death in Auchinleck of James Boswell, biographer of Dr Johnston.

May 19, 1795

Lord Edward Fitzgerald, a leader of the United Irishmen, is betrayed by Francis Magan; is arrested and is shot while being apprehended

May 19, 1798

Anna Maria O'dell, the 2nd wife of William O'dell gives birth to a stillborn child in the Marshalsea debtors prison, where she had accompanied her husband

May 19, 1821

Standish Hayes O'Grady, scholar, is born in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick

May 19, 1832

Máire Ni Aodáin (Mary Hayden), Irish historian, is born

May 19, 1862

Birth of Henry Dixon, botanist

May 19, 1869

Sir Isaac Butt invents the term Home Rule

May 19, 1870

John Sheahan, fiddle player with the Dubliners, is born

May 19, 1939

France and England make peace, releasing forces to attack Scotland.

May 20, 1303

The war of the O'Briens of Thomond escalates as the Norman-Irish become involved on both sides

May 20, 1311