1542 in science

The year 1542 in science and technology included a number of events, some of which are listed here.

Botany

 * Leonhart Fuchs publishes his new herbal De historia stirpium commentarii insignes in Basel.

Exploration

 * Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo explores the coast of California.

Physiology and medicine

 * Jean Fernel publishes De naturali parte medicinae, presenting human physiology as integral to the study of medicine.

Births

 * approx. date – Peder Sørensen, Danish physician (died 1602)

Deaths

 * August – Peter Henlein, Nuremberg watchmaker (born 1479/80)