1779 in poetry

Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature (for instance, Irish or France).

United Kingdom

 * William Cowper and John Newton, Olney Hymns, 66 by Cowper (marked "C" to distinguish them from Newtown's), another 282 by Newton; the work was popular, with many editions published
 * Robert Fergusson, Poems on Various Subjects, Part 2 of Poems 1773
 * William Hayley, Epistle to Admiral Keppel, published anonymously
 * Samuel Johnson, Prefaces, Biographical and Critical, to the Works of the English Poets (published from this year through 1781), in 10 volumes, with later editions titled Lives of the English Poets; 52 critical biographies
 * Ann Murry, Poems on Various Subjects

United States

 * Philip Freneau, "The House of Night" (expanded, 1786)
 * Jonathan Odell, "Word of Congress"
 * Charles Henry Wharton, A Poetical Epistle to His Excellency George Washington

Births
Death years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:
 * January 20 – Adam Oehlenschlager (died 1850), Danish
 * May 28 – Thomas Moore (died 1852), Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer
 * July 15 – Clement Moore (died 1863), American credited as the author of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (more commonly known today as "Twas the Night Before Christmas")
 * August 1 – Francis Scott Key (died 1843), American lawyer, author, and amateur poet who wrote the words to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner"
 * November 5 – Washington Allston, (died 1843), American poet and painter

Deaths
Birth years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:
 * March 4 – Heinrich Leopold Wagner (born 1747), German writer and poet
 * April 1 – John Langhorne (born 1735), English poet and clergyman
 * Also:
 * Elizabeth Amherst (born c. 1716), English poet and amateur naturalist
 * John Armstrong (born 1709), English poet and physician
 * Peter Wilhelm Hensler (born 1742), German
 * Thomas Penrose
 * Kenrick Prescot