1739 in literature

This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1739. Events January 16 – George Frideric Handel's oratorio Saul is first performed at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, London. February 9 – The Scots Magazine first appears. February 17 – George Whitefield first preaches in the open air, to miners at Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, England. March 16 – Henry Brooke's drama Gustavus Vasa becomes the first play banned under the Licensing Act 1737. April – John Wesley first preaches in the open air, at Whitefield's invitation. November – The Champion (periodical) is launched, with Henry Fielding (under the name Captain Hercules Vinegar) as editor. unknown date – The first Bible in the Estonian language, Piibli Ramat, translated by Anton thor Helle, is published. New books Prose Penelope Aubin – A Collection of Entertaining Histories and Novels John Campbell – The Travels and Adventures of Edward Bevan, Esq., formerly a merchant in London Elizabeth Carter Examination of Mr. Pope's Essay on Man (translation of De Crousaz's Examen de l'essai de Monsieur Pope sur l'homme) Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy Explain'd for the Use of Ladies (translation of Algarotti's Newtonianismo per le donne) Philip Doddridge – The Family Expositor Richard Glover – London David Hume (anonymously) – A Treatise of Human Nature (issued late 1738 but dated this year) William Law – The Grounds and Reasons of Christian Regeneration John Mottley (as Elijah Jenkins) – Joe Miller's Jests; or, the Wits Vade-Mecum Robert Nugent (attributed) – An Epistle to Sir Robert Walpole John Oldmixon – The History of England during the Reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth Laetitia Pilkington – The Statues Samuel Richardson – Aesop's Fables Elizabeth Singer Rowe – Miscellaneous Works Thomas Sheridan – The Satires of Juvenal Translated Joseph Trapp – The Nature, Folly, Sin, and Danger, of Being Righteous Over-much (against George Whitefield) Voltaire De la Gloire, ou entretien avec un Chinois Conseils a M. Helvetius Isaac Watts – The World to Come George Whitefield – A Continuation of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield's Journal Paul Whitehead – Manners