- May 14 August Strindberg, Swedish writer (Deaddans), dies at 63
- May 14 Frederik VIII C W K, King of Denmark (1906-12), dies at 68
- May 19 Bolesław Prus, Polish writer (The Outpost), dies at 64
- May 19 Eduard Adolf Strasburger, German botanist (Angiosperms), dies at 68
- May 25 Austin Lane Crothers, American politician (b. 1860)
- May 26 Jan Blockx, Belgian opera composer (Bride of the Sea), dies at 61
- May 28 Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, French scientist, dies at 74
Wilbur Wright
May 30 Wilbur Wright, US aviation pioneer, dies at 45
