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In their lifetime
Born in the reign of George I
  • Birth
    1716
    Born
  • Age c. 5
    1721
    Robert Walpole becomes the first Prime Minister in all but name
  • Age c. 11
    11 Jun 1727
    Accession of George II
    Reigned 1727–1760
  • Age c. 29
    1745–1746
    Second Jacobite rising
    Ended at Culloden on 16 April 1746.
  • Age c. 33
    1749
    Daughter Elizabeth born
  • Age c. 34
    1750
    Son Timothy born
  • Age c. 36
    Sep 1752
    Britain adopts the Gregorian calendar
    2 September was followed by 14 September.
  • Age c. 37
    1753
    Son Thomas born
  • Age c. 40
    1756–1763
    Seven Years' War begins
  • Age c. 44
    1760
    Father Herbert died
  • Age c. 44
    25 Oct 1760
    Accession of George III
    Reigned 1760–1820
  • Age c. 48
    1764
    Hargreaves invents the spinning jenny
  • Age c. 52
    26 Aug 1768
    Captain Cook sets sail on his first voyage
  • Age c. 53
    5 Jan 1769
    James Watt patents his improved steam engine
  • Age c. 59
    1775–1783
    American War of Independence begins
  • Age c. 64
    4 May 1780
    First Epsom Derby run
    On Epsom Downs, Surrey.
  • Age c. 73
    14 Jul 1789
    French Revolution begins
  • Age c. 77
    1 Feb 1793
    Britain goes to war with revolutionary France
  • Age c. 80
    14 May 1796
    Edward Jenner carries out the first smallpox vaccination