1550 in science

Medicine

 * approx. date – Establishment of St Thomas's Hospital Medical School in London.

Technology

 * Commencement of laying out of gardens at the Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy, for Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este with sophisticated hydraulic features designed by Tommaso Chiruchi with Claude Venard.

Publications

 * Gerolamo Cardano publishes his comprehensive survey of the natural sciences, De subtilitate, in Nuremberg.
 * Giovanni Battista Ramusio begins publication of Navigationi et Viaggi ("Navigations and Travels"), a collection of explorers' first-hand accounts of their travels, the first work of its kind.

Births

 * September 30 – Michael Maestlin, German astronomer and mathematician (died 1631)
 * John Napier, Scottish mathematician (died 1617)
 * Anselmus de Boodt, Flemish mineralogist and physician (died 1632)
 * Jacques Guillemeau, French surgeon (died 1613)
 * Ferrante Imperato, Neapolitan natural historian (died 1625)
 * approximate date
 * Willem Barentsz, Dutch explorer (died 1597)
 * Marin le Bourgeoys, French inventor and artist (died c.1634)

Deaths

 * Sulaiman Al Mahri, Arab navigator (born 1480 AD)