- May 4 William Froude, English engineer and naval architect, dies at 68
- May 15 Gottfried Semper, German architect (b. 1803)
- May 17 Asa Packer, railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh Valley Railroad (b. 1805)
- May 21 Arturo Prat, Chilean naval officer (b. 1848)
William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879)
May 24 American abolitionist, and publisher ("The Liberator"), dies at 73
Assassination
Car Crash
Hanging
Killed in Action
Plane Crash
Poisoning