- Dec 1 Abraham Emanuel Fröhlich, Swiss poet (b. 1796)
- Dec 1 Constant van Crombrugghe, Flemish monastery founder, dies at 76
- Dec 6 Sebastian de Iradier, Spanish composer (Arreglito), dies at 56
- Dec 10 Leopold I, King of Belgium (1831-65), dies at 74
- Dec 14 Johan Georg Forchhammer, Danish geologist, dies at 71
- Dec 18 Francisco Manuel da Silva, Brazilian composer (Brazilian National Anthem), dies at 70
- Dec 24 Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, British painter and writer (b. 1793)
- Dec 30 Henry Winter Davis, American politician and unionist, dies at 48
Assassination
Drug Overdose
Gunshot Wound
Murder
Plane Crash
Suicide