Deaths on February 15

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Died on February 15, 1781

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, German philosopher, author, and critic (b. 1729)

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (, German: [ˈɡɔthɔlt ˈʔeːfʁa.ɪm ˈlɛsɪŋ] (listen); 22 January 1729 – 15 February 1781) was a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist and art critic, and a representative of the Enlightenment era. His plays and theoretical writings substantially influenced the development of German literature. He is widely considered by theatre historians to be the first dramaturg in his role at Abel Seyler's Hamburg National Theatre.

References

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

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Events on 1781

5 Jan

Richmond, Virginia
American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia, is burned by British naval forces led by Benedict Arnold.
17 Jan

Battle of Cowpens
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Cowpens: Continental troops under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton at the battle in South Carolina.
15 Mar

Battle of Guilford Court House
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Guilford Court House: Near present-day Greensboro, North Carolina, 1,900 British troops under General Charles Cornwallis defeat a mixed American force numbering 4,400 in a Pyrrhic victory.
24 Aug

Lochry's Defeat
American Revolutionary War: A small force of Pennsylvania militia is ambushed and overwhelmed by an American Indian group, which forces George Rogers Clark to abandon his attempt to attack Detroit.
17 Oct

Siege of Yorktown
American Revolutionary War: British General Charles, Earl Cornwallis surrenders at the Siege of Yorktown.

Deaths on February 15

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Died on February 15, 1781

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1781

Richmond, Virginia

Battle of Cowpens

Battle of Guilford Court House

Lochry's Defeat

Siege of Yorktown