Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
May 6 American naturalist and pacifist (Walden Pond), dies of tuberculosis at 44
- May 16 Joseph L. Hogg, American Brigadier General (Confederate Army), dies at 55
- May 16 Lev Mej, Russian dramatist and poet (The Tsar's Bride), dies at 40 [O.S. 5/16]
- May 18 William High Keim, American Union brigadier general, dies in battle at 48
- May 21 John Drew, Irish-born American actor and theatre manager, dies from head injuries at 34
- May 25 Johann Nestroy, Austrian actor, singer and playwright (Judith und Holofernes), dies at 60
- May 29 Franciszek Wincenty Mirecki, Polish composer, conductor and pedagogue, dies at 71
- May 31 Robert Hopkins Hatton, American Brigadier General (Confederate Army), dies in battle at 35
Assassination
Car Crash
Hanging
Killed in Action
Plane Crash
Poisoning