- Dec 7 William Griggs, English inventor (photo chromo lithography), dies at 79
- Dec 10 Joseph Dalton Hooker, British botanist and director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, dies at 94
- Dec 11 Thomas Ball, American sculptor, painter and musician, dies at 92
- Dec 13 Reggie Duff, Australian cricket batsman (23 Tests; 104 on debut), dies of alcoholism at 33
- Dec 18 Alberto Randegger, Italian composer, dies at 79
- Dec 19 John Bigelow, American statesman and author, dies at 94
- Dec 23 Karl Hoschna, Bohemian born Tin Pan Alley-era composer (Every Little Movement), dies at 34