See also: 1659 in literature, other events of 1660, 1661 in literature, list of years in literature.

Events

• Blaise Pascal's Lettres Provinciales is burned as a heretical work on the orders of King Louis XIV of France.
• Following the Restoration, British theatres reopen and Samuel Pepys begins keeping his diary. Richard Baxter is among those who return to London.
• Roger Boyle receives the title of Earl of Orrery.

New Books

• Astraea Redux - John Dryden
• Ductor Dubitantium, or the Rule of Conscience - Jeremy Taylor

Births

• January - Pierre Helyot
• September - Daniel Defoe
• exact date unknown - Edward Llwyd
• exact date unknown - Thomas Southerne

Deaths

• October 6 - Paul Scarron
• exact date unknown - Sir Thomas Urquhart