1764 in science

Astronomy

• Lagrange publishes on the libration of the Moon, and an explanation as to why the same face is always turned to the Earth, a problem which he treats with the aid of virtual work, containing the germ of his idea of generalized equations of motion.

  Physics

• Specific and latent heats are described by Joseph Black.

  Technology

• The spinning jenny, a multi-spool spinning wheel, is invented by James Hargreaves in Stanhill, near Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

  Awards

• Copley Medal: John Canton

  Births

• Early – James Smithson, British mineralogist, chemist and benefactor
• April 3 – John Abernethy, English surgeon
• May 4 – Joseph Carpue, English surgeon
• September 17 – John Goodricke, English astronomer
• October – William Symington, Scottish mechanical engineer and steamboat pioneer
• November 10 – Andrés Manuel del Río, Spanish chemist
• Maria Medina Coeli, Italian physician
• Approx. date – Alexander Mackenzie, Scottish explorer

  Deaths

• March 17
• * William Oliver, English physician
• * George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, English astronomer
• September 2 – Rev. Nathaniel Bliss, English Astronomer Royal
• November 20 – Christian Goldbach, Prussian mathematician