- Dec 4 Ernest Panckoucke, French publisher (Horatius), born in Paris (d. 1886)
- Dec 6 Johan Michiel Dautzenberg, Flemish author (Future), born in Heerlen, Netherlands (d. 1869)
- Dec 6 Johann Christian Gebauer, Danish composer, born in Copenhagen (d. 1884)
- Dec 7 Hugh McCulloch, US Treasury Secretary (1865-69, 1884-85), born in Kennebunk, Maine (d. 1895)
- Dec 20 Thomas Tinsley Craven, Commander (Union Navy), (d. 1887)
- Dec 23 Thomas Turner, American Commander (Union Navy), (d. 1883)
- Dec 25 Stephen Cleeg Rowan, Commander (Union Navy), (d. 1890)
- Dec 26 Albert Grisar, Belgian composer, born in Antwerp (d. 1869)
Andrew Johnson (1808-1875)
Dec 29 17th US President (Unionist: 1865-69), born in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Dec 29 Györg Apponyi, Hungarian politician, born in Pozsony, Kingdom of Hungary (d. 1899)