1731 in literature

See also: 1730 in literature, other events of 1731, 1732 in literature, list of years in literature.

Events

• The Gentleman's Magazine is launched by Edward Cave

New Books

• Divine Benevolence - Thomas Bayes
• The London Merchant (play) - George Lillo
• The Tragedy of Tragedies; or, The Life and Death of Tom Thumb (play)

Births

• November 26 - William Cowper, poet
• December 12 - Erasmus Darwin, naturalist

Deaths

• April 21 - Daniel Defoe
• December 26 - Antoine Houdar de la Motte, dramatist