Joseph Conrad (1857-1924)
Dec 3 Polish-English novelist (Lord Jim, Heart of Darkness), born in Berdychiv, Poland
- Dec 7 Niccolò van Westerhout, Italian composer, born in Mola di Bari, Italy (d. 1898)
- Dec 15 Eugeniusz Pankiewicz, Polish composer, born in Siedlce, Poland (d. 1898)
- Dec 16 E. E. [Edward Emerson] Barnard, American astronomer (Jupiter's 5th satellite), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 1923)
- Dec 31 Michael "King" Kelly, American Baseball HOF utility (NL batting champion 1884, 86; NL runs scored 1884–86, Chicago White Sox) and manager (Boston Beaneaters, Reds; Cincinnati KKs), born in Troy, NY (d. 1894)