- May 8 Ross Barnes, American baseball infielder (3×NA/NL batting champion 1872, 73, 76; 4×NA/NL runs scored leader; 4×NA/NL hits leader; Boston Red Stockings), born in Mount Morris, New York (d. 1915)
- May 10 Thomas Lipton, Scottish yachtsman (5-time America's Cup challenger) and tea merchant (Lipton Tea), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 1931)
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions