1762 in science
The year 1762 in science and technology involved some significant events.
Biology
- Charles Bonnet's Considerations sur les corps organisées is published in Amsterdam, synthesising current knowledge of cell biology and presenting his theory of palingenesis, intended to refute the theory of epigenesis.
- Courses begin at the first veterinary school, established by Claude Bourgelat in Lyon.
Mathematics
- September – Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships is established in London, pioneering mutual insurance using a method of actuarial science devised by mathematician James Dodson.
- Joseph-Louis Lagrange discovers the divergence theorem.
Pharmacology
- Antoine Baumé publishes his textbook Éléments de pharmacie théorique et pratique in Paris.
Physics
- Joseph Black first makes known his discoveries on latent heat, in Glasgow.
Awards
- Copley Medal: Not awarded
Births
- April 10 – Giovanni Aldini, Italian physicist
- November 20 – Pierre André Latreille, French zoologist
Deaths
- February 20 – Tobias Mayer, German astronomer
- March 21 – Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, French astronomer
- June 13 – Dorothea Erxleben, German physician
- July 10 – Jan Frederik Gronovius, Dutch botanist
- July 13 – James Bradley, English Astronomer Royal
- July 30 – William Braikenridge, English clergyman and geometer