- Dec 2 George Scharf, British art critic and administrator (National Portrait Gallery, 1857-95), born in London, England (d. 1895)
- Dec 5 Afanasy Fet, Russian poet, born in Mtsensk, Russia (d. 1892)
- Dec 10 David Allen Russell, United States Army officer (Union), born in Salem, New York (d. 1864)
- Dec 10 Princess Elizabeth of Clarence, second daughter of Duke and Duchess of Clarence, later King William IV and Queen Adelaide, born in St James's Palace, London. England (d. 1821)
- Dec 17 Frederick Tracy Dent, American General (Union Army), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1892)
Dion Boucicault (1820-1890)
Dec 26 Irish actor and playwright (London Assurance; The Poor of New York), born in Dublin, Ireland
- Dec 26 Gustavus Adolphus Smith, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (d. 1885)
Greatest Generation
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