Reform of Trade
The East India Co goes bankrupt so mercantalist burdens are lifted. The East India Co can sell directly, competing with American smugglers
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1772 in Great Britain
Explore 22 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1772.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1772
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 22 of 22 unique records.
22Unique records
1 of 1Page
22Named events on this page
14Named people on this page
11Places on this page
May
June
Slavery
Within 5 years 14,000 slaves in Britain gain their freedom. Ends the legal status of slavery in England
July
Southern Voyage
Leaves Plymouth on HMS Resolution with HMS Adventure to search the far southern oceans during his second voyage
September
Birmingham Canal
The Birmingham Canal opens under James Brindley, linking the town to wider canal traffic.
Death of James Brindley
Death of James Brindley
Other events (month unknown)
Apprenticeship with James Basire
Blake began his apprenticeship to engraver James Basire, acquiring the techniques used in his illustrated writing.
Arguments for Religious Toleration
Burke advocated measures to reduce political disabilities imposed on religious dissenters, consistent with his wider concern for toleration.
Begins Collaborative Hymn Writing
Cowper collaborated with John Newton on hymns that would later appear in the Olney Hymns collection.
Carcass
Joins the Arctic expedition aboard HMS Carcass.
Discovery of Easter Island
Discovers Easter Island
Discovery of Marquesas
Discovers Marquesas
Discovery of New Caledonia
Discovers New Caledonia
Discovery of Norfolk Island
Discovers Norfolk Island
Discovery of Pacific Ocean
Sails with the Resolution & Adventure for a southern continent
Discovery of Tonga Islands
Discovers the Tonga Islands
East India Company
Defends himself in Parliament against charges of fraud in the East India Company
Hamilton Antiquities Collection Acquired
The British Museum acquired Greek and Roman antiquities collected by Sir William Hamilton during his diplomatic service in Naples.
Legislation
Royal Mariages Act, royalty under 25 must have permission of the sovereign
Longitude Tables Refined
Maskelyne continued refining astronomical data essential to lunar distance calculations used aboard ships on long voyages.
Reform of Privy Council
If a monarch wishes to marry age over 25 notice must be given to the Privy Council
The Case of the Officers of Excise
Paine wrote The Case of the Officers of Excise, advocating higher pay and fairer treatment for excise employees.
Trial
Defends himself in Parliament against charges of fraud in the East India Company
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.