18 January

His mother-in-law dies while staying in his house.

William Palmer Executed

A Staffordshire doctor deep in racing debts, a friend's winnings at Shrewsbury, and a strychnine trial moved to London by Act of Parliament.

He dies in a charity hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

Charles Ponzi Convicted

Boston, 1920: an Italian immigrant promised 50% in 45 days on postage coupons. Eight months later his name was a byword for fraud.