The year 1788 in science and technology included many events, some of which are listed here.

See also: 1787 in science, other events of 1788, 1789 in science and the list of years in science.

Awards

• Copley Medal: Charles Blagden

Births

• October 14 - Edward Sabine, physicist, astronomer and explorer (died 1883)

Deaths

• April 16 - Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, French naturalist (born 1707)