- Mar 21 Maurice, Duke and later Elector of Saxony (1547-53), (d. 1553)
- Apr 18 François de Coligny d'Andelot, French general (Jarnac) and Ruler of van Andelot, born in Châtillon-sur-Loing, France (d. 1569)
- May 8 Saint Peter Canisius, Dutch Jesuit Catholic priest, born in Nijmegen, Netherlands (d. 1597)
- Aug 4 Pope Urban VII (d. 1590)
- Aug 19 Lodovico Guicciardini, Italian historian (Descrittione di Tutti), born in Florence (d. 1589)
- Dec 1 Takeda Shingen, Japanese warlord of Kai Province (1541-73) known as the "Tiger of Kai", born in Kai Province, Japan (d. 1573)
- Dec 13 Pope Sixtus V [Felice Piergentile], Pope of the Catholic Church (1585-90), born in Grottammare, Papal States (d. 1590)