Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Feb 15 Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer who has been called the father of science, born in Pisa, Duchy of Florence, Italy
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Apr 23 English poet and playwright (Romeo and Juliet; Macbeth: Hamlet) [traditionally regarded as his birthdate], born in Stratford upon Avon,
- Sep 24 William Adams, English navigator and 1st ever Western Samurai, born in Gillingham, Kent, England (d. 1620)
- Nov 22 Henry Brooke, 11th Baron Cobham, English conspirator against the rule of James I of England, born in Cobham Hall, Kent (d. 1619)
- Dec 24 Abraham Bloemaert, Dutch painter, cartoonist, printmaker, and engraver, born in Gorinchem, Netherlands (d. 1651)