1538 in science

Botany

• William Turner's Libellus de re herbaria novus, the first essay on scientific botany in English, is published in London.

  Earth sciences

• September 29–October 6 – The last significant volcanic eruption in the Phlegraean Fields of Italy creates Monte Nuovo.

  Births

• March 25 – Christopher Clavius, German mathematician and astronomer
• Matthias de l'Obel, Flemish-born physician and botanist

  Deaths

• May 27 – Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, English judge and agriculturalist
• Federico Crisogono, Italian scientist