1762 in science

The year 1762 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Biology

 * Charles Bonnet's Considerations sur les corps organisées is published in Amsterdam, synthesising current knowledge of cell biology and presenting his theory of palingenesis, intended to refute the theory of epigenesis.
 * Courses begin at the first veterinary school, established by Claude Bourgelat in Lyon.

Mathematics

 * September – Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorships is established in London, pioneering mutual insurance using a method of actuarial science devised by mathematician James Dodson.
 * Joseph-Louis Lagrange discovers the divergence theorem.

Pharmacology

 * Antoine Baumé publishes his textbook Éléments de pharmacie théorique et pratique in Paris.

Physics

 * Joseph Black first makes known his discoveries on latent heat, in Glasgow.

Awards

 * Copley Medal: Not awarded

Births

 * April 10 – Giovanni Aldini, Italian physicist (died 1834)
 * November 20 – Pierre André Latreille, French zoologist (died 1833)

Deaths

 * February 20 – Tobias Mayer, German astronomer (born 1723)
 * March 21 – Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, French astronomer (born 1713)
 * June 13 – Dorothea Erxleben, German physician (born 1715)
 * July 10 – Jan Frederik Gronovius, Dutch botanist (born 1690)
 * July 13 – James Bradley, English Astronomer Royal (born 1693)
 * July 30 – William Braikenridge, English clergyman and geometer (born 1700)