istoryworld
Events relating to england
The Flemish-born sculptor Michael Rysbrack creates a momument to Newton in Westminster Abbey
English maker of telescopes John Hadley designs the instrument which evolves into the standard sextant used at sea
With the performance of Esther Handel taps a rich new vein, the English oratorio
Voltaire publishes a series of Philosophical Letters comparing the French unfavourably with England
John Kay, working in the Lancashire woollen industry, patents the flying shuttle to speed up weaving
Britain declares war on Spain, partly in a mood of indignation over Captain Jenkins' ear
David Hume publishes his Treatise of Human Nature, in which he applies to the human mind the principles of experimental science
English highwayman Dick Turpin is convicted of stealing two horses, in Yorkshire, and is hanged
Jack Broughton, champion of England, opens an academy to teach 'the mystery of boxing, that wholly British art'
Edmond Hoyle publishes the definitive rules of whist
France formally declares war on Britain half way through the War of the Austrian Succession
New England militiamen achieve an unexpected success in capturing the fortress of Louisbourg from the French
Charles Edward Stuart marches as far south as Derby, but then turns back
Samuel Richardson's Clarissa begins the correspondence which grows into the longest novel in the English language
Henry Fielding introduces a character of lasting appeal in the lusty but good-hearted Tom Jones
Horace Walpole begins to create his own Strawberry Hill, a neo-Gothic fantasy, on the banks of the Thames west of London
English poet Thomas Gray publishes his Elegy written in a Country Church Yard
English gardener Lancelot Brown sets up in business as a freelance 'improver of grounds', and soon acquires the nickname Capablity Brown
Britain is one of the last nations to adjust to the more accurate Gregorian calendar, causing a suspicious public to fear they have been robbed of eleven days
English obstetrician William Smellie introduces scientific midwifery as a result of his researches into childbirth
Samuel Johnson publishes his magisterial Dictionary of the English Language
Admiral John Byng is shot on the deck of a ship in Portsmouth harbour for 'neglect of duty' in failing to relieve Minorca
William Pitt the Elder becomes secretary of state and transforms the British war effort against France in America
English painter Joseph Wright sets up a studio in his home town, Derby
Joshua Reynolds, by now the most fashionable portrait painter in London, copes with as many as 150 sitters in a year
