- May 1 Carlos Calvo, Argentine historian, diplomat and human rights scholar (Calvo Clause), dies at 82
- May 12 Gabriel C. Wharton, American civil engineer and Brigadier General (Confederate Army), dies at 81
- May 14 Carl Schurz, German revolutionary and statesman (b. 1829)
- May 19 Gabriel Dumont, Metis political and military leader (Louis Riel’s commander during North-West rebellion against Canadian government), dies at 68
Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)
May 23 Norwegian playwright (A Doll's House, Peer Gynt), dies at 78
Assassination
Car Crash
Hanging
Killed in Action
Plane Crash
Poisoning