Eighteenth-Century Chronology: 1779
This page in the Eighteenth-Century Chronology is
maintained by Jack
Lynch. Please send suggestions and corrections to jlynch@andromeda.rutgers.edu.
Literature
- William Cowper, Olney Hymns
- Samuel Johnson begins publishing The Lives of the Poets
(Prefaces, Biographical and Critical, to the Works of the English
Poets)
Theatre
- Richard Brinsley Sheridan becomes sole proprietor of Drury Lane, where
he produces The Critic
Art
- 8 October: William Blake begins studying at the Royal Academy
Music
- John Stanley appointed Master of the King's Band
Science, Technology, & Medicine
- Lazzaro Spallanzani explores the biology of reproduction, and
discovers that semen is necessary for fertilization
- London opens its first children's hospital
Politics & Law
- Spain declares war on Britain, and tries unsuccessfully to
capture Gibraltar
Philosophy & Theology
Milestones
- Death of William Boyce, composer
- Death of Thomas Chippendale, cabinetmaker
- Death of Captain James Cook
- Death of David Garrick
Miscellaneous
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