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The 18th Century (1701 - 1800)
Greenwich's famous buildings created by great architects.
1689 - 1702 William and Mary
1702 - 1714 Queen Anne
1703: John Wesley (1703 - 1791) born. Held religious meetings on Blackheath prior to setting up the Methodist Church.
1705: Greenwich Royal Park open to public
1705: Edmond Halley identified the comet later to be named after him.
1707: 22 October: Royal Navy 4 ships sank- 2,000 lives lost - public outcry results.
1714 - 1727 King George I
1714: King George I (1660 - 1724) arrives in England at Greenwich as reigning monarch.
1714: Longitude Act offered rich prizes to anyone who could determine longitude at sea.
c1717: Macartney House (home of General Wolfe & his parents) was built.
1720: Edmond Halley appointed Astronomer Royal at Greenwich.
1727 - 1760 King George II
1727: 11 June - George II succeeded his father George I
1727: Death of Sir Isaac Newton
1727: Painted Hall at Greenwich Royal Naval College completed by Sir James Thornhill.
1729: Aberration of light discovered by James Bradley
1730: John Harrison (1693 - ?) arrives at Greenwich with his sea-going clock plans.
1732: Royal Charter founds Georgia
1737: Samuel Johnson "Dr. Johnson" (1709 - 1784), lexicographer, author & critic lived in Greenwich.
1738: Methodist movement founded by John & Charles Wesley who preached on Blackheath.
1739: 7 April - Dick Turpin (highwayman) hanged. Highwaymen attacked at Shooters Hill.
1742: Handel's Messiah first performed
1742: James Bradley (1693 - 1762) appointed Astronomer Royal at Greenwich
1749: Transit Room built at Greenwich Royal Observatory - home of Bradley's Greenwich Meridian.
c1750: Antonio Canaletto (1687 - 1768) paints famous view of Greenwich Hospital from across the River Thames.
1751: Greenwich Hospital completed to Sir Christopher Wren's (1632 - 1723) plans.
1752: 3-14 September - Britain adopts Gregorian calendar - 11 days 'lost'
1753: British Museum founded
1755: Dr Samuel Johnson (former Greenwich resident) publishes Dictionary of the English Language
1758: Appearance of Halley's Comet
1759: Quebec taken by James Wolfe (resident of Greenwich)
1759: Kew Gardens established
1760: 25 October George II dies - statue in Royal Naval College gardens.
1760 - 1820 King George III
1760: Succeeded by his grandson George III (immortalised on movie filmed in Greenwich)
1762: Nathaniel Bliss appointed Astronomer Royal at Greenwich
1763: Dreadnought Seaman's Hospital built in Greenwich.
1765: Nevil Maskelyne appointed Astronomer Royal at Greenwich
1779: Fire in chapel at Greenwich Hospital.
1780: Archway of "Spread Eagle" built at Greenwich
1781: Uranus discovered by Sir William Herschel
1783: Greenwich Hospital School (now part of Davenport House) built.
