- Jan 12 Ferdinand I, King of Sicily & Naples. (d. 1825)
- Jan 12 Jacob Michael Reinhold Lenz, Baltic German poet and dramatist (The Soldiers), born in Sesswegen, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire (d. 1792)
- Jan 14 Corona Schröter, German musician, born in Guben, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1802)