The year 1790 in science and technology included many events, some of which are listed here.

See also: 1789 in science, other events of 1790, 1791 in science and the list of years in science.

Awards

• Copley Medal: Not awarded

Births

• February 3 - Gideon Mantell, paleontologist (died 1852)
• March 12 - John Frederic Daniell, chemist and physicist (died 1845)
• May 23 - Jules Dumont d'Urville, explorer (died 1842)
• July 1 - George Everest, surveyor and geographer (died 1866)
• October 25 - Robert Stirling, inventor (died 1878)
• December 19 - William Edward Parry, Arctic explorer (died 1855)

Deaths

• April 17 - Benjamin Franklin, scientist and inventor, known for his experiments with electricity (born 1706)