- Jan 2 William Corless Mills, American museum curator (excavated Ohio Indian mounds), born in Pyrmont, Ohio. (d. 1928)
- Jan 7 Emanuil Manolov, Bulgarian composer (Siromahkinia - 1st Bulgarian opera), born in Gabrovo, Ottoman Bulgaria (d. 1902)
- Jan 8 Nancy Jones, US African American missionary in Africa, born in Hopksinville, Kentucky (d. 1939)
Charles Curtis (1860-1936)
Jan 25 American Republican Senator (Kansas: 1907-13, 1915-29) and 31st US Vice President (1929-33) who was the first Native American to become a Senator and Vice President, born in North Topeka, Kansas
- Jan 26 Harry Micajah Daugherty, American politician, lawyer and political manager accused of corruption, born in Washington Court House, Ohio (d. 1941)
Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)
Jan 29 Russian author and playwright (Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya), born in Taganrog, Russia
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
80-89
Over 90