- Aug 5 Joannes D M Cornelissen, historian (Johann de White), dies
- Aug 8 Anton Ivanovich Denikin, Russian general (b. 1872)
- Aug 13 Johan H T Norlind, Swedish musicologist, dies
- Aug 19 Ernst Laqueur, Dut chemist/psychologist (sexual hormones), dies at 67
- Aug 20 Franz VM Cumont, Belgian religious historian, dies at 79
- Aug 21 Ettore Bugatti, Italian-French automobile designer and manufacturer (Automobiles E. Bugatti), dies at 65
- Aug 25 Clark Wissler, US cultural anthropologist, dies at 76
- Aug 28 Manolete, Spanish bullfighter (b. 1917)