List of Famous people who died in 1940

Princess Romanework Haile Selassie, sometimes spelt as Romane Work Haile Selassie, was the eldest child of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia by his first wife, Woizero Altayech.

The Reverend Francis Charles Robert Jourdain M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., was a notable British amateur ornithologist and oologist. He was primarily known for his extensive research into the breeding biology of the birds of the Palaearctic region. He also had interests in the food of British birds and their geographical distribution and strongly encouraged detailed and accurate record keeping in local ornithology. Known for his temper, he came be known by the nickname Pastor Pugnax. He was a founder of the British Oological Association, which changed its name after his death to the Jourdain Society in his memory.

J.-H. Rosny aîné was the pseudonym of Joseph Henri Honoré Boex, a French author of Belgian origin who is considered one of the founding figures of modern science fiction. Born in Brussels in 1856, he wrote in the French language, together with his younger brother Séraphin Justin François Boex under the pen name J.-H. Rosny until 1909. After they ended their collaboration Joseph Boex continued to write under the name "Rosny aîné" while his brother used J.-H. Rosny jeune.

Charles Joseph Parrott, known professionally as Charley Chase, was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director best known for his work in Hal Roach short film comedies. He was the elder brother of comedian/director James Parrott.

James Hall was an American film actor.

Walter Connolly was an American character actor who appeared in almost 50 films between 1914 and 1939. His best known film is It Happened One Night (1934).

Leopold Skulski pronounced [lɛˈɔpɔlt ˈskulskʲi]; served as prime minister of Poland for six months from 13 December 1919 until 9 June 1920 in the interim Legislative Sejm during the formation of sovereign Second Polish Republic following World War I.

Robert Arthur Sanders, 1st Baron Bayford was an English politician.

Henry Horner was an American politician. Horner served as the 28th Governor of Illinois, serving from January 1933 until his death in October 1940. Horner was noted as the first Jewish governor of Illinois.