On This Day

What Happened in January 1742

Historical Events

  • Jan 24 German leaders elect Charles VII Albert Emperor

Famous Birthdays

  • Jan 8 Philip Astley, English 'Father of the Modern Circus', born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England (d. 1814)
  • Jan 15 Eugene Godecharle, Belgian violinist & composer, born in Brussels, Belgium (d. 1798)
  • Jan 24 Anne, Duchess of Cumberland and Strathearn (d. 1808)
  • Jan 26 Johann Friedrich Ludwig Sievers, German composer, born in Hanover (d. 1806)

Famous Deaths

  • Jan 1 Peregrine Bertie, 2nd Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven, English statesman, dies at 55
  • Jan 6 Johann Georg Reinhardt, composer, dies

Person of interestEdmond Halley

Jan 14 Edmond Halley, English mathematician and astronomer (Halley's comet), dies at 85 [NS=Jan 25]

Astronomer, Mathematician and Physicist Edmond Halley
Astronomer, Mathematician and Physicist
Edmond Halley



What Happened in 1742