- May 8 (Ivar) Henning Mankell, Swedish pianist and composer, dies at 61
- May 10 Edward Stratemeyer, American author (The Rover Boys), dies at 67
- May 12 Pieter Jelles Troelstra, Dutch politician (SDAP), dies at 70
Fridtjof Nansen
May 13 Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian Arctic explorer and diplomat (Nobel Peace Prize 1922), dies at 68
- May 13 Helene Lange, German feminist (honoured with the Grand Prussian State Medal), dies at 82
- May 14 Władysław Orkan [Franciszek Ksawery Smaciarz], Polish author (Nowele Zebrane), dies at 54
- May 17 Herbert David Croly, US founder (New Republic), dies at 61
- May 18 João Marcelino Arroio, Portuguese composer (Amor de Perdiçâo), dies at 68
- May 23 R. D. Banerji, Indian archaeologist and historian (discovered ancient Indus city of Mohenjo-daro), dies at 45 [1]
- May 25 Randall Thomas Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury (b. 1848)