- Jan 18 Hakuin Ekaku, Zen teacher (reformer of Rinzai school), dies in Japan
- Jan 24 François de Chevert, French general (b. 1695)
- Feb 2 Clement XIII [Carlo Rezzonico], Pope (1758-69), dies at 75
- Apr 3 Gerhard Tersteegen, German evangelist and poet (wrote in blood), dies at 71
- Apr 20 Pontiac, Ottawa Indian leader, murdered by a Peoria warrior at 48 or 49
- Jun 1 Edward Holyoke, American academic and 9th President of Harvard University, dies at 79
- Aug 2 Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea, English politician, dies at 80
- Aug 29 Edmond Hoyle, games expert, dies (birth date unknown)
- Nov 23 Constantine Mavrocordatos, Prince of Wallachia and Prince of Moldavia (b. 1711)
- Dec 13 Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, German poet and novelist (Fables & Tales), dies at 54
- Dec 30 Nicholas Taaffe, 6th Viscount Taaffe, Austrian soldier (b. 1685)