- May 6 Chapin A. Harris, American dentist who founded the America Society of Dental Surgeons, born in Pompey, New York (d. 1860)
- May 8 Johann Friedrich Kittl, Czech composer, born in Orlík, Bohemia (d. 1868)
- May 12 Amos Beebe Eaton, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Catskill, New York (d. 1877)
- May 12 Johan Vilhelm Snellman, Finnish journalist, statesman and nationalist, born in Stockholm, Sweden (d. 1881)
- May 16 George C. Cadwalader, American Major General (Union Army), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1879)
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
May 20 English philosopher, political economist and utilitarian, born in London
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
80-89
Over 90