- Jan 11 John Reese Kenly, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 1891)
- Jan 14 Zacharias Topelius, Finnish historical novelist (Surgeon's Stories), born in Nykarleby, Finland (d. 1898)
- Jan 17 Antoine-Aimé Dorion, Canadian politician and jurist (joint premier of Canada 1858, 1863-64), born in Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Lower Canada (d. 1891)
- Jan 18 Johannes van Vloten, Dutch literary figure and theologist (d. 1883)
- Jan 28 George Sewall Boutwell, MC (Union), (d. 1905)
- Jan 31 William Raine Peck, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), (d. 1871)