Calendar of Literary Facts

1766

  • The Rockingham ministry repeals the Stamp Act, but passes the Declaratory Act
  • Lord Rockingham cedes power in Britain’s Parliament to a ministry headed by William Pitt the elder
  • The Townshend Acts, which entail a tax on many imported articles, is strongly resisted in America
  • Oliver Goldsmith publishes The Vicar of Wakefield
  • Thomas Malthus is born (February 17)