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