Bentleys Miscellany
Introduces Oliver and a critique of poverty, workhouses and criminal exploitation.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1837 in Great Britain
Explore 66 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1837.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1837
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 66 unique records.
66Unique records
1 of 2Page
39Named events on this page
18Named people on this page
13Places on this page
February
Oliver Twist Serialization
Begins serial publication of Oliver Twist in Bentleys Miscellany.
March
Lower Canada Finance Measures
Deepens political conflict between Lower Canadas assembly and imperial authorities.
Russell Resolutions
Introduces resolutions authorizing colonial revenues without assembly approval.
June
Accession Council Meeting
Begins royal duties immediately after learning of William IVs death.
First Privy Council
Holds her first Privy Council on the day of her accession.
Rule of Hanover
Under the Salic law of Hanover Victoria cannot succeed to Hanover
Succession
With the death of William IV the crown passes to his niece Victoria. Succeeds as Queen of Great Britain
Succession
Under the Salic law of Hanover Victoria cannot succeed to Hanover
Death of William IV
Death of William IV, of pneumonia & cirrhosis of the liver. Death of William IV, last of the Hanoverian Dynasty
Coronation
Crowned Queen of Great Britain
July
Birmingham-Warrington Railway Connection
Creates a major railway connection between Birmingham and the northwest.
Grand Junction Railway Opening
Opens the Grand Junction Railway for passenger and goods traffic.
Buckingham Palace
1st uses Buckingham Palace as a Royal residence
SS Great Western
The wooden paddle steamship SS Great Western is launched at Bristol under Brunel's direction.
Euston Station Opening
Opens Euston with the first section of the London and Birmingham Railway.
London and Birmingham Railway Opening
Begins passenger service between London, Harrow, Watford and Boxmoor.
Burial
Buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor
November
Final Pickwick Instalment
Concludes the comic travels and legal troubles of Samuel Pickwick.
Pickwick Papers Completed
Completes serial publication of The Pickwick Papers.
Other events (month unknown)
Alliance Agreement
Threatens to withdraw from the Quadruple Alliance. Threatens to withdraw aid to Spain if interest to British bondholders is unpaid
Alliance Quadruple Alliance
Threatens to withdraw from the Quadruple Alliance
Analysis of American Society
Examines democracy, slavery, religion and womens position in American life.
Analytical Engine Description
Describes the architecture and mathematical capabilities of the Analytical Engine.
Bristol Shipbuilders Complete Wooden Hull
Patterson's Bristol yard brought the vessel's large oak hull to the launch stage before the ship received her engines.
Campaign For Complete Freedom Intensifies
Joseph Sturge worked with fellow abolitionists to build public pressure for terminating colonial apprenticeship early.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
The main contractors fail financially, but the bridge towers are raised in unfinished stone.
Clifton West Abutment Work Progresses
Construction teams developed the masonry support at Leigh Woods for the planned suspended bridge deck.
Electric Telegraph Collaboration
Provides electrical and instrument expertise for the Cooke-Wheatstone telegraph.
Electric Telegraph Patent
Co-develops and patents a practical electric telegraph system.
First Major GWR Structure
The structure is the first major engineering work completed on the GWR.
Five-Needle Telegraph
Creates a five-needle instrument for transmitting letters through electrical signals.
Great Western Engines Installed
The ship received substantial marine steam machinery needed for regular ocean crossings.
Great Western Hull Built by William Patterson
William Patterson's Bristol yard constructs Brunel's large wooden paddle steamship for the Great Western Steamship Company.
Great Western Launch At Bristol Celebrated
Brunel's large paddle steamship entered the water before machinery fitting and sea trials were completed.
Great Western Wooden Hull Completed
The large timber hull took shape at Bristol before the steamship was launched.
Historical Tragedy
Dramatizes the political fall and execution of Thomas Wentworth.
History of the French Revolution
Publication of "History of the French Revolution"
Hosken Selected For Great Western Command
Royal Navy lieutenant James Hosken was appointed to command Great Western before her inaugural Atlantic service.
Hungerford Bridge Project Advanced
Plans progressed for a suspension bridge to connect the north bank of the Thames with the south bank near Hungerford Market.
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.