Categories: This Day

August 31, 1869 – The first automobile death

Mary Ward

On this day in 1869, Mary Ward unfortunately made her way into the history books, as she is believed to be the first person killed in an automobile accident. While riding in an experimental steam car in Ireland built by her cousins, the sons of astronomer William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, she fell from the car on a bend. The vehicle rolled over her, leading to fatal injuries. 

Ward, her husband Henry, the Parson boys who built the vehicle – Richard Clare Parsons and the steam turbine pioneer Charles Algernon Parsons – and their tutor, Richard Biggs, were traveling together in the experimental vehicle. They group found themselves rolling through the countryside near present day Birr, County Offaly in Ireland when Mary Ward fell from the car. While the speed limit in the area topped out at 4 miles per hour, the vehicle could not stop and rolled over her. A doctor near the scene found her cut and bleeding from the ears. He determined she had suffered a broken neck.

Ward, an amateur scientist who wrote several books, didn’t believe anybody would publish her first book, “Sketches with the microscope” because she was a woman. To ensure it reached an audience, she self published 250 copies and distributed hand bills to advertise them. They sold within a few weeks, which led to a London publisher producing more books. She penned two more books, including a beginner’s guide to astronomy.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

February 19, 2015 – Remembering Yutaka Katayama, Father of the Z Car and first president of Nissan USA

Yutaka Katayma with Datsun Z. (Nissan) Yutaka Katayama, Mr. K, if you will, and often…

3 days ago

February 17, 1966 – Remembering Alfred Sloan

On February 17, 1966, the automotive industry lost one of its most influential figures—Alfred P.…

5 days ago

February 12, 2014 – Sinkhole at the Corvette Museum

The Bowling Green, Kentucky GM plant has been pumping out Corvettes since 1991. Just a…

1 week ago

February 10, 1989 – The Mazda Miata MX-5 debuts

Mazda Miata (NA) Ah, the history of the Mazda Miata MX-5. A little roadster with…

2 weeks ago

February 9, 1846 – Engineer Wilhelm Maybach is born

| Wilhelm Maybach was a pioneering German engineer and inventor, renowned for his contributions to…

2 weeks ago

February 8, 1931 – Actor and racer James Dean is born

When actor James Dean, born on this day in 1931, finished filming Giant, he headed…

2 weeks ago