subsection below) Birthdate of Gottfried August Bürger Gottfried August Bürger (died 1794), German poet and author who wrote stories about Baron von Munchhausen, preferred to think of himself as being born on January 1, 1748, and so celebrated his birthdays on that date. His tombstone is inscribed with it, and many scholars have agreed with him over the generations. Many other scholars, including many modern sources, give December 31, 1747, as the day of birth, as birth records state. Deaths Birth years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article: January 16 – Barthold Heinrich Brockes (born 1680), German poet August – Leonard Welsted (born 1688), English poet and "dunce" in Alexander Pope's writings (both in The Dunciad and in Peri Bathos) Also: Benjamin Colman (born 1673), English Colonial American clergyman and poet Thomas Gilbert See also Poetry List of years in poetry List of years in literature Notes 18th-century poetry Poetry