Jacobus de Kerle (* in Ypres 1531/1532 - † in Prague, January 7, 1591) was a Flemish composer and organist of the Renaissance. De Kerle was educated at the monastery of St. Martin in Ypres and held positions as singer in Cambrai (France) and choirmaster in Orvieto (Italy),where he also became organist and carillonneur (bell ringer). After his ordination he began to have his music published, including a collection of psalms and Magnificat settings in Venice which were published in 1561. He was commissioned to write music for the 'Preces Speciales' (''Special Petitions'') written by the Dominican Pedro de Soto for the Council of Trent (completion of the motet collection in 1562). Although he was not actively involved in the conciliar deliberations, the performance of the ''Preces Speciales'' reportedly influenced the attitude of the Council Fathers towards the reforms of sacred music.

Appointed music director of Ypres Cathedral in 1565, he lost his post after he was excommunicated on 30 March 1567 due to a dispute with another priest. After he had paid the fines imposed by Rome, he was reinstated in the church. Further stations were Rome and Augsburg, where in 1568 Cardinal Otto Truchsess von Waldburg offered him a position as choir vicar and organist at Augsburg Cathedral. He remained there until 1574 but was passed over when the vacant position of Kapellmeister in Augsburg was awarded. Afterwards he led a restless life (Mons, Cologne, Augsburg, Vienna), finally ending in Prague in 1583 where he died in 1591.

All of de Kerle's surviving music is vocal polyphony and combines the stylistic elements of the Franco-Flemish school of the generation after Josquin with those of Italian composers of the late Renaissance such as Palestrina. His surviving works include masses for four and five voices (the masses for six voices were lost), motets, psalms, hymns and sacred songs. Some manuscripts are still preserved.