- May 8 Augustin Pajou, French sculptor (Bachante), dies at 78
- May 17 Leopold Auenbrugger, Austrian physician (invented percussion as a diagnostic technique), dies at 86
- May 30 Johan B Scheffer, portrait painter, dies at about 43
- May 31 Ferdinand von Schill, Prussian officer who led rebellion against the French, dies at the Battle of Stralsund at 33
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
May 31 Austrian composer of the classical period (The Creation; Trumpet Concerto), dies at 77
- May 31 Jean Lannes, French military commander (Marshal of the Empire and friend of Napoleon Bonaparte), dies of his wounds from the Battle of Aspern-Essling at 40
Assassination
Car Crash
Hanging
Killed in Action
Plane Crash
Poisoning