- May 3 Abraham Patras, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies (1735-37), dies at 65
- May 4 Eustace Budgell, English writer (The Spectator, writing 37 numbers signed X), dies at 50
- May 10 Nakamikado Emperor of Japan (b. 1702)
- May 12 Cornelis van Alkemade, Dutch historian, dies at 83
- May 17 Claude Buffier, French philosopher and historian, dies at 75