1759 in Great Britain

Events from the year 1759 in the Kingdom of Great Britain.

[edit] Events

15 January - The British Museum opens in London. ^[1]
25 July - Seven Years' War (French and Indian War): In Canada, British forces capture Fort Niagara from French, who subsequently abandon Fort Rouillé.
1 August - Battle of Minden - Anglo-Hanoverian forces under Ferdinand of Brunswick defeat the French army of the Duc de Broglie, but due to the disobedience of the English cavalry commander Lord George Sackville, the French are able to withdraw unmolested.
18 August - Battle of Lagos - The British fleet of Edward Boscawen defeats a French force under Commodore de la Clue off the Portuguese coast.
10 September - Battle of Pondicherry - An inconclusive naval battle is fought off the coast of India between the French Admiral d'Aché and the British under George Pocock. The French forces are badly damaged and returned home, never to return.
13 September - Seven Years' War (French and Indian War): Quebec falls to British forces following General Wolfe's victory in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham just outside the city. Both the French Commander (the Marquis de Montcalm) and the British General Wolfe are fatally wounded.
20 November - Battle of Quiberon Bay - The British fleet of Sir Edward Hawke defeats a French fleet under Marshal de Conflans near the coast of Brittany. This is the decisive naval engagement of the Seven Years' War — after this, the French are no longer able to field a significant fleet.