1761 in literature

This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1761. Events August – Following the death of Johann Matthias Gesner, the chair of rhetoric at the University of Göttingen is refused by both Johann August Ernesti and David Ruhnken. It eventually goes to Christian Gottlob Heyne. September – Carlo Goldoni informs fellow playwright Francesco Albergati Capacelli that he is moving permanently from Venice to Paris, where he is appointed director of the Italian theatre. unknown date – Denis Diderot begins writing Rameau's Nephew New books Fiction John Hawkesworth – Almoran and Hamet William Kenrick – Eloisa Thomas Percy (translated) – Hau Kou Choan James Ridley (as Sir Charles Morrell) – The History of James Lovegrove Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse Frances Sheridan – Memoirs of Miss Sidney Bidulph Laurence Sterne – The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman vols. iii – iv.