See also: 1838 in literature, other events of 1839, 1840 in literature, list of years in literature.

Events

New Books

• The Charterhouse of Parma - Stendhal
• Deerbrook - Harriet Martineau
• Diary in America - Frederick Marryat
• Jack Sheppard - William Harrison Ainsworth
• Marianna - Jules Sandeau
• Nicholas Nickleby - Charles Dickens
• The Phantom Ship - Frederick Marryat
• The Voyage of the Beagle - Charles Darwin

Births

• February 22 - Francis Pharcellus Church, American editor and publisher (+ 1906)
• August 4 - Walter Horatio Pater, English writer (+ 1894)
• April 18 - Henry Kendall, Australian poet (+ 1882)

Deaths

Awards