Deaths on April 28

Johann Friedrich Struensee

Died on April 28, 1772

Johann Friedrich Struensee, German physician and politician (b. 1737)

Lensgreve Johann Friedrich Struensee (5 August 1737 – 28 April 1772) was a German physician, philosopher and statesman. He became royal physician to the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and a minister in the Danish government. He rose in power to a position of "de facto" regent of the country, where he tried to carry out widespread reforms. His affair with Queen Caroline Matilda ("Caroline Mathilde") caused a scandal, especially after the birth of a daughter, Princess Louise Augusta, and was the catalyst for the intrigues and power play that caused his downfall and dramatic death.

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Johann Friedrich Struensee

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Events on 1772

9 Jun

Gaspee Affair
The British schooner Gaspee is burned in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.
21 Aug

Swedish Constitution of 1772
King Gustav III completes his coup d'état by adopting a new Constitution, ending half a century of parliamentary rule in Sweden and installing himself as an enlightened despot.