- May 9 John Arthur Jarvis, English swimmer (Olympic gold 1,000m, 4,000m, water polo 1900), dies at 61
- May 13 Paul Ernst, German writer, dies at 67
- May 15 Ernest Torrence, Scottish actor (I Cover the Waterfront, Hunchback of Notre Dame), dies from complications following surgery for gall stones at 54
- May 21 John Henry Mackay, Scottish German author (Der Schwimmer), dies at 69
- May 25 James E. Kelly, American sculptor "Sculptor of American History", dies at 77
Jimmie Rodgers
May 26 Jimmie Rodgers [James Charles], American country singer and singing brakeman, dies of a pulmonary hemorrhage at 35
