May 12

  • 1820 Florence Nightingale, social reformer and founder of modern nursing, born in Florence, Italy.
  • 1712 Building commenced on the library of Trinity College, Dublin, designed by Thomas Burgh, at a cost of £15,000.
  • 1916 James Connolly (47) and Seán MacDiarmada (33) executed. Prime Minister H.H. Asquith arrived in Ireland (until 18th).
  • 1916 James Connolly and Seán MacDiarmada were executed in Kilmainham Jail.
  • 1967 John Masefield (88), poet, notably of ‘Sea Fever’ (1902), writer and Poet Laureate since 1930, died.