Eighteenth-Century Chronology: 1704

Literature

• Thomas Brown, Dialogues
• Burnet, Tracts and Discourses
• Daniel Defoe begins The Review (through 1712)
• Daniel Defoe, Hymn to Victory
• John Dennis, The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry
• Thomas Rymer and Sanderson, Foedera (through 1735)
• Jonathan Swift, Tale of a Tub and The Battle of the Books
• Wycherley, Miscellany Poems
• Tonson publishes Poetical Miscellanies (including works of John Dryden)

Theatre

• Colley Cibber, The Careless Husband
• William Congreve, John Vanbrugh, and Walsh, Squire Trelooby
• John Dennis, Liberty Asserted
• George Farquhar, The Stage Coach
• Nicholas Rowe, The Biter
• Trapp, Abra-Mule

Art

Music

• George Frederick Händel (or Handel), St. John Passion

Science, Technology, & Medicine

• Sir Isaac Newton, Optics first translated into English

Politics & Law

• Queen Anne's Bounty
• The Nottingham faction resigns
• Harley appointed Secretary of State
• The Battle of Blenheim
• England captures Gibraltar
• Scotland's Act of Security
• The Press Gang is authorized by law
• Fletcher, Right Regulation of Governments

Philosophy & Theology

Milestones

• Death of Thomas Brown
• Death of Charpentier, composer
• Death of Roger L'Estrange
• Death of John Locke

Miscellaneous

• George Psalmanazar, Description of Formosa
• The Boston News-Letter, America's first newspaper, begins publication on 24 April