- Dec 6 August von Mackensen, German field marshal, born in Haus Leipnitz, Kingdom of Prussia, German Confederation (d. 1945)
- Dec 7 Saionji Kinmochi, Japanese politician (Prime Minister of Japan 1906-1908, 1911-1912), born in Kyoto, Japan (d. 1940)
- Dec 11 Ellen Key, Swedish author and feminist (Courageous Woman), born in Gladhammar Parish, Västervik Municipality, Sweden (d. 1926)
- Dec 19 Henry Clay Frick, American industrialist (built world's largest coke & steel operation) and art collector (Frick Collection), born in West Overton, Pennsylvania (d. 1919)
- Dec 21 James Lane Allen, American writer (Kentucky Cardinal), born in Lexington, Kentucky (d. 1925)
- Dec 26 Samuel "Sam" van Beem, Flemish actor (Fanfan la Tulipe), born in Groningen, Netherlands (d. 1912)
- Dec 28 Herbert von Bismarck, German politician, son of Otto of Bismarck, born in Berlin, Prussia (d. 1904)