Louis of Nassau (1538-1574)
Jan 10 Dutch nobleman and general who led the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule, born in Dillenburg, Germany
- Jan 15 Maeda Toshiie, Japanese general, born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan (d. 1599)
- Mar 10 Thomas Howard, English 4th Duke of Norfolk (executed for treason by Queen Elizabeth I for his part in Ridolfi plot to overthrow her), born in Kenninghall, Norfolk, England (d. 1572)
- Apr 24 Gugliemo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua and Montferrat (1550-87), born in Mantua, Italy (d. 1587)
- Apr 26 Gian Paolo Lomazzo, Italian painter and poet (Trattato), born in Milan (d. 1600)
- Oct 2 Saint Charles Borromeo, Italian cardinal and Archbishop of Milan (1564-84), born in Arona, Milan, Italy (d. 1584)
- Oct 31 Caesar Baronius, Italian cardinal and historian, born in Sora, Italy (d. 1607)
- Dec 10 Giovanni Battista Guarini, Italian writer (Faithfull Shepherd), born in Ferrara, Italy (d. 1612)