Matthew Webb
Jan 19 Matthew Webb, English long distance swimmer who was first to swim unassisted across the English Channel, born in Dawley, England (d. 1883)

Matthew Webb
- Mar 18 Nathaniel Herreshoff, America Cup yacht designer
- Apr 9 Francis MacKinnon, English cricketer (later the 35th Mackinnon of Mackinnon), born in Paddington, London (d. 1947)
W. G. Grace
Jul 18 W. G. Grace, English cricket all-rounder and captain (22 Tests; 54,896 runs over record 44 first class seasons; Gloucestershire), born in Bristol, England (d. 1915)

W. G. Grace