- Feb 25 Simon Stijl, Frisian physician and writer, born in Harlingen (d. 1804)
- Mar 7 Jean-Louis Laruette, French musician and composer of comic opera, born in Paris, France (d. 1792)
- Mar 11 Robert Treat Paine, American judge and Founding Father (signed US Declaration of Independence), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1814)
- Apr 4 Francesc Morera i Cots, Valencian composer, born in Sant Mateu, Spain (d. 1793)
- Apr 23 William Williams, American merchant (signed US Declaration of Independence), born in Lebanon, Connecticut (d. 1811)
- May 11 Johann Gottfried Seyfert, German composer and violinist, born in Augsburg, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1772)
- May 26 Orazio Mei, Italian organist, and composer, born in Pisa, The Papal States (now Italy) (d. 1788)
Martha Washington (1731-1802)
Jun 13 1st US First Lady (1789-97), born in Kent County, Virginia
- Jul 3 Samuel Huntington, American politician and signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Windham, Connecticut (d. 1796)
- Aug 4 Giuseppe Colla, Italian composer, born in Parma, Duchy of Parma and Piacenza (now Italy) (d. 1806)
- Sep 2 Johann Friedrich von Cronegk, German poet and playwright (Olint und Sophronia), born in Ansbach (d. 1758)
- Sep 7 Damasus Brosmann, Moravian composer, born in Fulnek, Czech Republic (d. 1798)
- Sep 7 Elisabetta de Gambarini, English composer, born in Holles Street, St Marylebone, Middlesex (d. 1765)
- Sep 9 Francisco Javier Clavijero, Mexican Jesuit teacher and writer, born in Veracruz, Mexico (d. 1787)
- Oct 10 Henry Cavendish, England, physicist and chemist (discovered hydrogen), born in Nice (d. 1810)
- Nov 1 Theodore-Jean Tarade, French composer, born in Paris, France (d. 1788)
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)
Nov 9 African American astronomer, mathematician and surveyor of Washington, D.C., born in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland
- Nov 11 Carl Joseph Toeschi, German composer, born in Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (d. 1788)
- Nov 26 William Cowper, English pre-romantic poet (His Task), born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England (d. 1800)
- Nov 27 Gaetano Pugnani, Italian violinist and composer, born in Turin, Italy (d. 1798)
- Dec 6 Sophie von Laroche, German writer (History of Lady Sophia Sternheim), born in Kaufbeuren. Bavaria (d. 1807)
- Dec 7 Abraham-Hyacinthe Anquetil-Duperron, French scholar and interpreter, born in Paris (d. 1805)
- Dec 8 František Xaver Dušek, Czech composer, born in Chotěborky, Jaroměř, Czech Republic (d. 1799)
- Dec 12 Erasmus Darwin, influential English physician, poet, philosopher, and botanist (grandfather of Charles Darwin), born in Newark-on-Trent, England (d. 1807)
- Dec 26 Anthony Ziesenis, Dutch architect and sculptor (Town Hall of Westzaan) (d. 1801)
- Dec 28 Christian Cannabich, German violinist, composer and royal chaplain master, born in Mannheim, Electorate of the Palatinate, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1798)
Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Dragon
Year of the Snake
Year of the Horse
Year of the Goat/Sheep
Year of the Monkey