References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 October 2.

1550 March 8 Juan de Dios Port/Sp saint (Brothers of Mercy), dies at age 55. [1] April 12 Claude of Lorraine duke of Guise, dies at age 53. [1] December 6 Pieter Coecke van Aelst Flemish painter, dies at age 48. [1] 1551 April 6 Joachim Vadianus Swiss physician/mayor of Sankt Gallen, dies at age 66. [1] May 31 Aristotele "Basiano" da Sangallo Italian set designer, dies. [1] 1552 January 3 Henry II of Bavaria bishop of Utrecht (1524-29), dies at age 64. [1] January 11 Johannes Cochlaeus [Dobeneck], German humanist/theologist, dies. [1] April 14 Laurentius Andreae [Lars Andersson] Swedish church reformer, dies. [1] April 18 John Leland antiquary, dies. [1] April 21 Peter Apianus [Bennewitz/Bienewitz] German astronomer, dies at age 50. [1] 1553 February 4 Caspar Othmayr composer, dies at age 37. [1] February 19 Erasmus Reinhold German mathematician, dies at age 41. [1] April 9 François Rabelais French author (Gargantua/Pantagruel), dies at age 49. [1] May 5 Erasmus Alberus German theologist (Barfüsser Mönche), dies at about age 52. [1] 1554 February 21 Hieronymus Bock German doctor (founder of modern botany), dies. [1] February 23 Henry Grey Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane Grey's father, executed. [1] March 3 Johan Frederik de Greatmoedige ruler of Saxon (1532-47), dies at age 50. [1] 1555 March 23 Julius III [Giovanni M del Monte], Pope (1550-55), dies at age 67. [1] April 12 Johanna de Wanzinnige Queen of Castilie (1504-20), dies at age 75. [1] May 1 Marcellus II [Marcello Cervini] Italian Pope (1555), dies at age 53. [1] May 25 Gemma Frisius Frisian geographer/astronomer, dies at age 46. [1] November 21 Georgius Agricola mineralogist, dies in Germany at age 61. [1] 1556 March 19 Lieven van der Maude [Ammonius], South Netherlands poet, dies at age 70. [1] March 21 Thomas Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury, burned at stake at age 66. [1] April 18 Luigi Alamanni Italian poet (Flora, Antigone), dies at age 61. [1] July 31 Saint Ignatius of Loyola founder of Society of Jesus, dies in Rome. [1] 1557 January 1 Jacques Cartier French explorer (Canada), dies at age 65. [1] April 9 Michael Agricola Finnish theologist/church reformer/bishop, dies. [1] September 1 Jacques Cartier French explorer, dies (birth date unknown). [1] December 13 Niccoló Tartaglia Italian mathematician, dies. [1] 1558 February 3 Alfonsus de Castro Spanish theologist (council of Trente), dies. [1] March 13 Jean Fernel French physician/physiologist, dies. [1] March 24 Anna van Buren countess of Egmond/Buren/Lingen, dies. [1] April 26 Jean François Fernel French physician, dies. [1] November 12 Rabbi Shalom Shakna ben Joseph founder of first Polish Yeshiva, dies. [1] December 29 Hermann Finck composer, dies at age 31. [1] 1559 January 1 Christian III king of Denmark/Norway (1534-59), dies. [1] January 29 Sir Thomas Pope English politician, benefactor, dies at about age 52. [1] March 14 Jacques d'Auchy Walloon baptist merchant, executed. [1] 1560 January 1 Guillaume du Bellay Sieur de Langey, French soldier, dies. [1] January 3 Peder Palladus Danish church reformer (Visitasbog), dies at about age 56. [1] January 28 John a Lasco [John Laski], Polish nobleman/reformed theologist, dies. [1] April 19 Philipp Melanchton [Schwazerd] church reformer, dies at age 63. [1] December 5 François II King of France (1559-60), dies at age 16. [1] 1561 January 31 Menno Simonsz Dutch priest/vicar (Foundation Book), dies. [1] March 5 Carlo Caraffa Italian cardinal, dies at age 41. [1] 1562 March 1 Blood bath at Vassy; General de Guise allows 1200 huguenots murder. [1] December 6 Jan van Scorel Dutch painter/architect, dies. [1] December 17 Adrian Willaert Flemish singer/bandmaster/composer, dies at about age 82. [1] 1563 February 2 Hans Neusiedler Hungarian/German luitist/author, dies at approximately 54. [1] February 24 François Guise French General/duke, assassinated at age 44. [1] 1564 February 18 Michelangelo Buonarroti Italian sculptor/painter/architect/poet (David), dies at age 88. [1] May 27 Jean Caulvin [John Calvin] priest/church reformer, dies at age 54. [1] October 15 Andreas Vesalius anatomist, dies at age 49. [1] 1565 January 27 Robrecht de Berghes prince-bishop of Liege (1557-64), dies. [1] March 17 Alexander Alesius [Aless/Alane], theologist/physician, dies at age 64. [1] May 14 Nicolaus von Amsdorf German reform theologist, dies. [1] October 22 Jean Grolier de Serviéres French bibliophile, dies. [1] December 9 Pius IV [Gianangelo de' Medici] Italian Pope (1559-65), dies at age 66. [1] December 13 Konrad von Gesner naturalist, dies at age 49. [1] December 18 Benedetto Varchi Italian humanist/historian (L'Ercolano), dies at age 62. [1] 1566 January 7 Ludovicus Blosius [Louis de Blois "Dacrianus"], wrtier, dies. [1] March 9 David Riccio Italian singer/secretary of Mary Stuart, murdered. [1] March 26 Antonio de Cabezon composer, dies. [1] March 28 Siegmund Freiherr von Herberstein Austrian diplomat, dies at age 79. [1] April 25 Diane de Poitiers lover of French King Henry II, dies. [1] May 10 Leonhard Fuchs German botanist, dies at age 65. [1] July 2 Nostradamus French astrologer/physician/prophet, dies in Salon. [1] 1567 January 8 Jacob Vaet Flemish composer/royal chaplain master, dies at about age 37. [1] February 10 Henry Stuart earl of Darnley/Consort of Mary Queen of Scots, murdered. [1] March 31 Philip the Generous, count of Hessen, dies at age 62. [1] April 18 Wilhelm von Grumbach German military man, dies at age 63. [1] April 19 Michael Stifel German theologist/mathematician, dies at about age 79. [1] May 2 Marin Drzic Croatian playwright (Dundo Maroje), dies. [1] May 3 Leonhard Paminger composer, dies at age 72. [1] May 31 Péreguin de la Grange French minister/martyr of Reform, dies. [1] 1568 February 15 Hendrik van Brederode Dutch noble (Compromise of Nobles), dies at age 36. [1] February 19 Miles Coverdale translator (first complete English Bible), dies at age 80. [1] March 20 Albrecht von Hohenzollern first duke of Prussia, dies at age 77. [1] May 23 Adolf van Nassau German son of Willem the Rich, dies in battle at age 27. [1] 1569 January 20 Miles Coverdale English bible translator Great bible, dies at age 80. [1] February 20 Mark van Vaernewijck Flemish nobleman/politician, dies at age 50. [1] March 13 Louis Condé French prince/co-leader of Hugenot, dies in battle. [1] May 27 François de Coligny French general (Jarnac), dies. [1] 1570 January 3 Bartholomeus Latomus [Steinmetz], Flemish archbishop of Trier, dies. [1] January 23 Earl of Moray, regent of Scotland, assassinated; civil war breaks out. [1] March 12 Jacob van den Eynden Grand Pensionary of Holland, dies. [1] 1571 January 3 Death of Joachim II Hektor at age 65; Elector of Brandenburg. [1] [37] February 14 Benvenuto Cellini Italian sculptor/metalsmith/author (Perseus), dies at age 70. [1] Odet de Coligny Cardinal of Châtillon/count of Beauvais, dies at age 53. [1] 1572 May 1 Pius V [Antonio Ghislieri] great-inquisiteur/Pope (1566-72), dies. [1] November 24 John Knox Scottish preacher, dies. [1] December 10 Cornelis Musius Dutch humanist/poet, murdered at age 72. [1] December 30 Galeazzo Alessi Italian architect (Palazza Marino, Milan), dies at age 60. [1] 1573 February 28 Jan "Hans" Liefrinck Flemish engraver/publisher, dies at about age 54. [1] March 13 Michel de l'Hôpital chancellor of France (1560-68), dies at about age 65. [1] March 14 Claude II of Lotharingen, duke of Aumale/murdered Admiral Coligny, dies. [1] November 7 Solomon Luria (Maharshal) talmudic author (Yam Shel Shelomo), dies. [1] December 11 Alardus/Eilard de Waterlant duke of Alva, hanged. [1] 1574 March 5 Philip of Saint-Aldegonde Flemish viceroy Holland/Zealand/Utrecht, dies. [1] April 14 Christoffel Palts German General strategist, dies in battle. [1] Hendrik count of Nassau-Dillenburg, dies in battle. [1] Louis earl of Nassau-Dillenburg, dies in battle at age 35. [1] April 17 Joachim Camerarius [Liebhard Kammerer] German philologist, dies. [1] April 21 Cosimo de Medici Italian duke of Toscane, dies at about age 54. [1] May 30 Charles IX King of France (1560-74), dies. [1] December 13 Selîm II Sari the blonde, sultan of Turkey (1566-74), dies at age 50. [1] December 26 Charles Guise archbishop/cardinal of Reims, dies at age 50. [1] 1575 May 17 Matthew Parker archbishop of Canterbury (1559-75), dies at age 68. [1] 1576 January 19 Hans Sachs composer, dies at age 81. [1] March 5 Don Luís de Requesens y Zuñiga viceroy of Netherlands (1573-76), dies at age 70. [1] May 27 Louis de Boisot Dutch Admiral, drowns at about age 44. [1] August 27 Titan Italian artist, dies. [1] September 24 Girolamo Cardano, Italian mathematician (explored probability theory of gambling), dies at age 74 (born 1501). [1] [187.75] December 4 Rheticus mathematician, dies. [1] December 15 Joachim Hopperus [Hoppers] Frisian lawyer/politician, dies at age 53. [1] 1577 February 26 Erik XIV Wasa King of Sweden (1560-69), dies at age 43. [1] May 8 Viglius ab Aytta Zuichemus lawyer/President (Raad van State), dies. [1] December 18 Anna duchess of Saxon/wife of prince Willem of Orange, dies at age 32. [1] 1578 February 5 Giovanni B Moroni Italian portrait painter, dies. [1] March 31 Juan de Escobedo Secretary of Spanish land guardian Don Juan, murdered. [1] 1579 December 21 Juan de Juanes [Vicente Juan Maçip] Spanish ecclesiastical painter, dies at age 56. [1]