Receives honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from Oxford, April 30. Sends Giambatista Beccaria, Italian scientist who disseminated Franklin's electrical theories, a description on July 13 of recently invented musical instrument, glass armonica, which he had been working on since 1761; Mozart and Beethoven later compose for it. Leaves London in August for Portsmouth to embark for Pennsylvania; arrives in Philadelphia November 1, Son William marries Elizabeth Downes September 4 in London, and is commissioned royal governor of New Jersey September 9.