Calendar of Literary Facts

1789

  • Olaudah Equiano publishes The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustava Vassa, the African, Written by Himself
  • The Estates-General assemble in France; the Bastille is stormed on July 14
  • The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is published in France
  • Utilitarianism, inspired by the writings of Jeremy Bentham, flourishes as a philosophy in Western culture
  • The French Revolution deposes the Bourbon dynasty, brings on the Terror, and leads to the rise of Napoleon
  • John Cleland dies (January 23)
  • George Washington takes office as first president of the United States (April 30)