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The 1730s: 1730–1739

Stories set in the 1730s — top stories

1730–1739 · worldwide, all places

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John Wesley began preaching in open fields in 1738, launching Methodism among miners who never entered churches. Nader Shah sacked Delhi in 1739 and carried the Peacock Throne to Persia, and in Leipzig, Bach directed music most Sundays while writing works his employers barely noticed.

Delhi was looted in 1739 while a fictional officer rode into a haunted Spanish inn the same year. The Manuscript Found in Saragossa follows that Walloon officer through the inn in 1739, and the Argentine novel Jasy rows with Jesuit missionaries up the Paraná in 1736. Open the 1730s on the StoryTerra map and explore its stories by place.

Sets 1730–1739 automatically — all places

10 famous stories set in the 1730s

Live snapshot of the top 10 most popular catalogue items (2026-09-05). Click any card to open this entry on the live map.

Browse 12 books and 1 movie set in the 1730s (1730–1739).

Alexandre Astier - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Alexandre Astier - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Universal Pictures
movie

In 1733 Johann Sebastian Bach gives an explosive and unexpected music lesson at the Leipzig church.

Setting: Leipzig, GermanyTime Period: 1733
Letters on England

Letters on England

by Voltaire
book

Voltaire was a colorful figure in Paris in the time just before both France and America began turbulent revolutions for their freedom. Voltaire was a 17th century writer philosopher and supporter of social reform. He…

Setting: England, UKTime Period: 1731
A Treatise of Human Nature

A Treatise of Human Nature

by David Hume
book

A Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40), David Hume's comprehensive attempt to base philosophy on a new, observationally grounded study of human nature, is one of the most important texts in Western philosophy. It is also…

Setting: 18th Century Scotland, UKTime Period: 1739
Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard's Almanack

Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard's Almanack

by Benjamin Franklin
book

First published in 1732 by Benjamin Franklin when he was just 26, Poor Richard's Almanack was issued annually for the next 25 years. Extremely popular with readers of the day, the Almanack was a fascinating compilation…

Setting: Philadelphia, USATime Period: 1732
The Manuscript Found in Saragossa

The Manuscript Found in Saragossa

by Jan Potocki, Ian Maclean (Translator)
book

Alphonse, a young Walloon officer, is travelling to join his regiment in Madrid in 1739. But he soon finds himself mysteriously detained at a highway inn in the strange and varied company of thieves, brigands,…

Setting: ['Andalusia (Spain)']Time Period: 1739
Trade Winds

Trade Winds

by Christina Courtenay
book

Marriage of convenience or a love for life?It’s 1732 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and strong-willed Jess van Sandt knows only too well that it’s a man’s world. She believes she’s being swindled out of her inheritance by her…

Setting: Gothenburg, Sweden; Far EastTime Period: 1732
Jasy

Jasy

by Florencia Bonelli
book

Un amor que nace con la vidaFebrero de 1736. El padre Ursus, superior de la misión jesuítica de San Ignacio Miní, navega por el río Paraná junto a su protegido, un niño de cinco años, Aitor Ñeenguirú.Ordena a los…

Setting: South AmericaTime Period: 1736
The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London

The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London

by Elvira Woodruff
book

Best-selling author Elvira Woodruff's thrilling novel set in 1700s London. Now in paperback! It's 1735. Forrest Harper's life inside the Tower of London consists of three ways to pass the time: chores, chores, and more…

Setting: ['United Kingdom', 'London, England']Time Period: 1735
A Maggot

A Maggot

by John Fowles
book

In the spring of 1736 four men and one woman, all traveling under assumed names, are crossing the Devonshire countryside en route to a mysterious rendezvous. Before their journey ends, one of them will be hanged, one…

Setting: ['United Kingdom']Time Period: 1736; Devonshire countryside
An Essay on Man

An Essay on Man

by Alexander Pope
book

Library of Liberal Arts title.

Setting: England, UKTime Period: 1734

The 10 stories above are just a sample of the 13 in the catalogue for this entry. For the live 1730–1739 catalogue, use the button above — or browse the whole 18th century. On the live map you can also filter by the exact time the stories take place — any year, decade or century, from BCE to the future.

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Keep exploring

1720s · 18th century · Time hub · All places · 1740s