1719 in literature

This article presents lists of the literary events and publications in 1719.

Events

• April 23–25 – Publication in London of Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe as The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Written by Himself by William Taylor, the author's first work of fiction at the age of around 60. Defoe's anonymity is broken in September by Charles Gildon in The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Mr D— De D—, of London, Hosier. Before the end of the year Robinson Crusoe runs through four editions, Defoe writes a sequel, The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, and there are several imitators. Also this year, Defoe launches the periodical The Manufacturer.
• Nicholas Rowe's widow receives a pension from King George I of Great Britain in recognition of her husband's translation of Lucan's Pharsalia, published complete posthumously this year.
• Richard Steele launches The Plebeian (periodical).

New books

Births

• January 17 – Johann Elias Schlegel, German critic and dramatic poet (died 1749)
• March 29 – John Hawkins, English writer and biographer (died 1789)
• May 30 – Roger Newdigate, English politician, founder of the Newdigate Prize for poetry (died 1806)
• July 4 – Michel-Jean Sedaine, French dramatist (died 1797)
• July 23 – Frances Boscawen, English diarist and bluestocking (died 1805)
• October 17 – Jacques Cazotte, French fantasy writer (died 1792)
• November 23 – Spranger Barry, Irish-born actor (died 1777)

Deaths

• January 18 – Samuel Garth, English poet and physician (born 1661)
• April 15 – Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon, consort and belle of the French court (born 1635)
• June 17 – Joseph Addison, English journalist and satirist (born 1672)
• July 17 – Elinor James, English pamphleteer (born 1644)
• September 7 – John Harris, English writer (born c. 1666)
• November 19 – Charles-Claude Genest, French poet and dramatist (born 1639)
• November 26 – John Hudson, English classicist and librarian (born 1662)
• December 2 – Pasquier Quesnel, French theologian (born 1634)
• December 31 – John Flamsteed, English Astronomer Royal (born 1646)

References