1808 in literature

See also: 1807 in literature, other events of 1808, 1809 in literature, list of years in literature.

Events

• First part of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's epic poem Faust is published

New Books

• The Broken Jug (English translation) - Heinrich von Kleist
• Characters at Brighton - Anne Trelawney
• The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Elizabeth Hamilton
• Elective Affinities - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• The Husband and Wife - Elizabeth Thomas
• Lord Hubert of Arundel - Sophia Bouverie
• Marmion (poetry) - Sir Walter Scott
• The Northern Gallery - Francis Lathom
• Offspring of Mortimer - Anne Trelawney
• The Old Irish Baronet - Henrietta Rouviere Mosse
• St. Justin - Sophia Bouverie
• The Star of Fashion - Mary Julia Young
• Tankerville Family - Sarah Green
• Valley of Collares - R. P. M. Yorke
• The Wild Irish Boy - Charles Robert Maturin
• The Theory of the Four Movements - Charles Fourier

Births

• January 27 - David Strauss, German theologian and writer
• February 5 - Carl Spitzweg, German poet
• February 16 - Gustave Planche, French critic
• May 22 - Gérard de Nerval, French poet and translator
• June 17 - Henrik Wergeland, Norwegian poet
• June 28 - James Spedding, English author and editor
• November 2 - Jules Amédée Barbey d'Aurevilly, French novelist
• Solomon Northup, American memoirist

Deaths

• September 5 - John Home, Scottish poet
• September 13 - Saverio Bettinelli, Italian man of letters
• Melchiore Cesarotti, Italian poet

Awards