1838 in literature

See also: 1837 in literature, other events of 1838, 1839 in literature, list of years in literature.

Events

• George Palmer Putnam and John Wiley form the book publishing and retail firm of Wiley & Putnam in New York City. It is the forerunner of G. P. Putnam's Sons.

New Literature

• The Birds of America – John James Audubon
• The Divinity School Address – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• The Lion of Flanders – Hendrik Conscience
• Mary Derwent – Ann Sophia Stephens
• Memoirs Ecrits par Lui Même (final volume) – Casanova
• Munchausen – Karl Immerman
• The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym and Ligeia – Edgar Allan Poe
• Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens
• Rattling the Reefer – Frederick Marryat with Edward Howard

New drama

• Weh dem der Lugt – Franz Grillparzer
• Ruy Blas – Victor Hugo

Births

• June 26 – Bankim Chatterjee (+ 1894)

Deaths

Awards