- May 2 Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert, French dermatologist, born in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron, France (d. 1837)
- May 3 Charles Tennant, Scottish chemist and industrialist, born in Laigh Corton, Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland (d. 1838)
- May 17 Caroline of Brunswick, Queen Consort of King George IV (1820-21), born in Brunswick, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1821)
- May 17 Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, English general, born in London (d. 1854)
- May 20 Dolley Madison, American 4th First Lady of the United States (1809-17) as wife of President James Madison, born in Guildford County, North Carolina (d. 1849) [1]