Events Jonathan Edwards becomes President of the institution that would later become Princeton University. Pierre-Augustin Caron changes his name to Beaumarchais. Robert Raikes becomes proprietor of the Gloucester Journal. Thomas Gray turns down the post of Poet Laureate of Great Britain. Thomas Warton is appointed Professor of Poetry at Oxford New Books Douglas (play) - John Home The Natural History of Religion - David Hume Odes - Thomas Gray Births November 18 - William Blake Deaths