Gregory XIII (1502-1585)
Jan 7 Italian pope (1572-85) who introduced the Gregorian (New Style) calendar in 1582, born in Bologna, Papal States
- Jan 10 Hendrik Niclaes, German mystic & founder of Christian sect "Familia Caritatis", born in Münster, Germany (d. 1570)
- Feb 2 Damião de Góis, Portuguese philosopher (d. 1574)
- Mar 20 Pierino Belli, Italian soldier and jurist (d. 1575)
- Apr 25 Georg Major, German Protestant theologian, born in Nuremberg, Germany (d. 1574)
- Jun 7 John III, King of Portugal and the Algarves (1521-57), born in the Palace of Alcáçova, Lisbon, Portugal (d. 1557)
- Aug 4 Pieter Coecke van Aelst, Flemish painter and carpet designer
- Sep 13 John Leland, English poet and antiquarian, born in London (d. 1552)