1786 in science

The year 1786 in science and technology included many events, some of which are listed here.

See also: 1785 in science, other events of 1786, 1787 in science and the list of years in science.

Awards

• Copley Medal: Not awarded

Births

• January 5 – Thomas Nuttall, naturalist (died 1859)

Deaths

• May 21 – Carl Wilhelm Scheele, Swedish chemist (born 1742)
• Thomas Wright, English astronomer (born 1711)