- May 3 Richard D'Oyly Carte, English opera impresario (Gilbert & Sullivan operas), born in London (d. 1901)
- May 8 Hermann Gradener, German composer, born in Kiel, Germany (d. 1929)
- May 28 Léon Vasseur, French composer, born in Bapaume, France (d. 1917)
- May 30 Louis Varney, French composer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1908)
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