- Jan 8 Baldomero Espartero, Spanish general, statesman and Regent of Spain for Isabella II (1840-43), dies at 85
- Jan 13 Henry, Prince of the Netherlands (Governor of Luxembourg, 1850-79), third son of King William II of the Netherlands, dies at 58
- Jan 16 Octave Crémazie, French Canadian poet, dies at 51
- Jan 21 John Blair Scribner, American magazine and book publisher, dies of pneumonia at 28
- Jan 22 Anthony Durnford, British colonel, dies in Battle of Isandlwana
- Jan 22 George Shepstone, British political affiliate, dies in battle
- Jan 23 Adolf Jensen, German composer, dies of tuberculosis at 42
- Jan 29 Antonio Benedetto Antonucci, Italian cardinal and diplomat, dies at 80
Assassination
Car Crash
Hanging
Killed in Action
Plane Crash
Poisoning