- May 1 Laza Lazarević, Serbian writer (Prvi put s ocem na jutrenje) and psychiatrist, born in Šabac, Serbia (d. 1891)
- May 15 Herbert Lawford, British tennis player (Wimbledon 1887; first exponent of topspin), born in Bayswater, England (d. 1925)
- May 18 James Budd, American politician, Governor of California (1895-99), born in Janesville, Wisconsin (d. 1908)
- May 20 Emile Berliner, German inventor (flat phonograph record)
- May 20 Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, American nun/daughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne
- May 21 Léon Bourgeois, French politician, French Prime Minister (1895-96, Nobel 1920), born in Paris, France (d. 1925)
- May 23 Antoni Stolpe, Polish pianist and composer, born in Pulawy, Poland (d. 1872)
- May 28 Dick Barlow, English cricket all-rounder (17 Tests, 2 x 50, 34 wickets, BB 7/40; Lancashire CCC), born in Bolton, England (d. 1919)