Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1940

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1940. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• May 2 Ernest Joyce

  English explorer (b. 1875)

• May 7 George Lansbury

  English journalist and politician (b. 1859)

• May 10 Euphemia "Phemia" Molkenboer

  Dutch artist/poster maker, who dies at the age of 56.

• May 11 Chujiro Hayashi

  Japanese reiki master (born 1880)

• May 14 Emma Goldman

  Anarchist, feminist lecturer, and editor from lithuania. she was a strong advocate for personal and political freedoms, which she would have been bold to practice even in more liberal times. "mother earth," her new york magazine, promoted free love, patriotism, and birth control.

• May 14 Menno ter Braak

  Prominent Dutch modernist author and intellectual who was a significant literary critic and essayist in the interwar period.

• May 14 Jacob van Gelderen

  Economist/sociologist/sdap-2nd-chamber, dies at age 49.

• May 14 Eddy [Charles E] du Platform

  Writer / poet

• May 15 Joseph Limburg

  Liberal second-member in parliament (1905-19), dies aged 75.

• May 15 Willem A Bonger

  Dutch criminologist (race & crime), suicide on 63

• May 19 Diego Mazquiaran

  Spanish matador (born 1895)

• May 20 Carl Gustaf Verner von Heidenstam

  Nobel Prize laureate in recognition of his significance as the leading representative of a new era in our literature

• May 20 Verner von Heidenstam

  LIT - Swedish author and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1859)

• May 20 Joris [Georges] van Severen

  Flemish fascist/member, dies.

• May 21 Billy Minter

  English footballer and manager (b. 1888)

• May 23 Paul Nizan

  French intellectual, journalist, and novelist known for his critical works and political engagement. Wrote notable works like 'Aden Arabia' and was associated with left-wing intellectual circles in pre-World War II France.

• May 23 Andrej N Rimsky-Korssakov

  Russian musicologist/son to nikolai, is dead.

• May 25 Joe De Grasse

  American film director (born in 1873)

• May 28 Walter Connolly

  Actor (it happened one night, good earth), is killed at 53

• May 28 Randle Ayrton

  Actor (manx man), died at 70

• May 28 Theodor Streicher

  Composer dies at 65

• May 28 Prince Frederick

  Charles of hesse (born 1868).

• May 30 Y de Smit-Rog

  The oldest dutchman, aged 104, is dead.