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Births on January 10

John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
1834Jan, 10

John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton

John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, Italian-English historian and politician (d. 1902)
John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, 13th Marquess of Groppoli, (10 January 1834 – 19 June 1902), better known as Lord Acton, was an English Catholic historian, politician, and writer. He was the only son of Sir Ferdinand Dalberg-Acton, 7th Baronet, and a grandson of the Neapolitan admiral and prime minister Sir John Acton, 6th Baronet. Between 1837 and 1869 he was known as Sir John Dalberg-Acton, 8th Baronet.

He is perhaps best known for the remark, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men...", which he made in a letter to an Anglican bishop.

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Events on 1834

  • 29Apr

    Second voyage of HMS Beagle

    Charles Darwin during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle, ascended the Bell mountain, Cerro La Campana on 17 August 1834, his visit being commemorated by a memorial plaque.[1]
  • 1Aug

    Slavery Abolition Act 1833

    Slavery is abolished in the British Empire as the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into force.
  • 16Oct

    Burning of Parliament

    Much of the ancient structure of the Palace of Westminster in London burns to the ground.
  • 1Dec

    Slavery Abolition Act 1833

    Slavery is abolished in the Cape Colony in accordance with the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.