Combe, born William Combes (died 1823), English writer, poet and adventurer July 1 – Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (died 1799), German writer, poet, mathematician and the first German professor of experimental physics September 9 – Thomas Penrose (died 1779), English poet October 6 – Johan Herman Wessel (died 1785), Norwegian poet December 12 – Anna Seward, called "the Swan of Lichfield" (died 1809), English poet December 25 – Charlotte von Stein (died 1827), German member of the court at Weimar, poet and close friend of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (on whom she is a strong influence) and Friedrich Schiller Approximate date Mary Alcock, née Cumberland (died 1798), English poet, essayist and philanthropist Anne Hunter (died 1821), Scots poet and songwriter who writes the lyrics to many of Haydn’s songs Deaths Death years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article: April 27 – Nicholas Amhurst (born 1697), English poet and political writer July 9 – John Oldmixon (born 1673), English historian, pamphleteer, poet and critic July 19 – William Somervile (born 1675), English poet December 17 – François-Joseph de Beaupoil de Sainte-Aulaire (born 1643), French poet and army officer Date not known – David French (born 1700), English Colonial American translator See also Poetry List of years in poetry List of years in literature 18th century in poetry 18th century in literature Augustan poetry Scriblerus Club Notes 18th-century poetry Poetry