- May 1 Aleksey Stepanovich Khomyakov, Russian poet, born in Moscow (d. 1860) [NS 13/05]
- May 5 Jacob Kats, Flemish writer (Earthly Paradise), born in Antwerp, Belgium (d. 1886)
- May 12 Robert Baldwin, (L) help establish government in Canada (or 1904)
- May 16 Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, American educator, founder of first English-language kindergarten in the US, born in Billerica, Massachusetts (d. 1894)
- May 17 Ottho Gerhard Heldring, Dutch preacher and reformer (Heldring Institutions), born in Zevenaar, Netherlands (d. 1876)
- May 22 John William Livingston, American Commander (Union Navy), born in NYC, New York (d. 1885)
- May 31 Louise Farrenc (née Dumont), French pianist, composer and only female professor at the Paris Conservatory during the 19th century, born in Paris (d. 1875)