Historical Events
- Jan 16 Godert van der Capellen, becomes Governor-General of Dutch East Indies
University of Virginia Chartered
Jan 25 University of Virginia chartered by Commonwealth of Virginia, with Thomas Jefferson one of its founders
Raffles Arrives in Singapore
Jan 28 British colonial officer Stamford Raffles lands in Singapore
Famous Birthdays
- Jan 1 Arthur Hugh Clough, English poet, friend of Matthew Arnold, born in Liverpool, England (d. 1861)
- Jan 1 George Foster Shepley, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Saco, Maine (d. 1878)
- Jan 1 Tom Hyer, American bare-knuckle boxer (American heavyweight champion 1841-51), born in Caernarvon Township, Pennsylvania (d. 1864)
- Jan 3 Charles Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer Royal for Scotland (d. 1900)
- Jan 6 Baldassare Verazzi, Italian painter, born in Caprezzo, Italy (d. 1886)
- Jan 9 James Francis, Premier of Victoria (d. 1884)
- Jan 12 Zealous Bates Tower, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Cohasset, Massachusetts (d. 1900)
- Jan 14 Fabio Campana, Italian composer, born in Livorno, Grand Duchy of Tuscany (d. 1882)
- Jan 14 Frederick Steele, American Major General (Union Army), born in Delhi, New York (d. 1868)
