Rainis[?] (real name: Janis Pliek*ans, 1865-1929), the most distinguished Latvian writer of all time who is the author of a number of poetry collections. Rainis is also acknowledged as the "Man of the 20th Century of Latvia".
... 18 - Cary Grant, actor (+ 1986)
January 22 - George Balanchine, choreographer (+ 1983)
January 26 - Ancel Keys, scientist
February 1 - S. J. Perelman[?], humorist, ...