See also: 1765 in science, other events of 1766, 1767 in science and the list of years in science.
Chemistry Henry Cavendish publishes his paper "On Factitious Airs". This is generally credited to show the discovery of hydrogen, since it describes the density of 'inflammable air', which formed water on combustion. Awards Copley Medal: William Brownrigg; Edward Delaval; Henry Cavendish Births July 6 - Alexander Wilson, ornithologist (died 1813) August 3 - Kurt Sprengel, botanist (died 1833) August 6 - William Hyde Wollaston, chemist (died 1828) September 6 - John Dalton, chemist and physicist (died 1844) December 29 - Charles Macintosh, inventor of a waterproof fabric (died 1843) Deaths
