- Aug 2 F. Marion Crawford, American author (Mr. Isaacs), born in Bagni de Lucca, Grand Duchy of Tuscany (now Italy) (d. 1909)
- Aug 3 Fernand de La Tombelle, French organist and composer, born in Paris, France (d. 1928)
- Aug 10 John Scott Lidgett, English theologist, born in London, England (d. 1953)
- Aug 12 Alfred Gilbert, English sculptor and goldsmith (Eros statue in Piccadilly), born in London, England (d. 1934)
- Aug 22 Milan I, King of Serbia (1882-89) who unexpectedly abdicated in favor of his 12-year-old son Alexander I, born in Mărășești, Romania (d. 1901)
- Aug 23 Moritz Moszkowski, Polish-German composer, born in Breslau, Prussia (d. 1925)
- Aug 24 Nikolay Vladimirovich Scherbachov, Russian pianist and composer, born in St. Petersburg, Russia (d. 1922)
- Aug 26 Arnold Fothergill, English cricket fast bowler (2 Tests, 8 wickets. BB 4/19; Somerset CCC, MCC), born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (d. 1932)