Francis Drake

Date of Birth: c. 1540

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: January 28, 1596

Biography

Francis Drake was an English sea captain, privateer, naval officer, and explorer, born around 1540 in Tavistock, Devon, England. He is best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition, from 1577 to 1580, which was the second successful attempt in history. Drake was a key figure in the English naval battle against the Spanish Armada in 1588, where his leadership and tactics were instrumental in the English victory. Throughout his career, he was both celebrated and feared, regarded as a hero in England but a pirate in Spain. Drake began his seafaring life at a young age, apprenticed on a small coastal freighter. His natural aptitude for navigation and leadership soon saw him rise through the ranks. By the 1560s, he was commanding his own ships, engaging in commercial and exploratory voyages, often with a secondary aim of privateering against Spanish ships and settlements. His most famous voyage began on December 13, 1577, when he set sail from Plymouth with five ships. By the time he returned to England in September 1580, he had lost all but one ship, the Golden Hind, but had gained immense wealth in Spanish treasure and spices. This voyage earned him a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth I. Drake continued to serve England until his death from dysentery on January 28, 1596, during an unsuccessful attack on San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was buried at sea in a lead coffin off the coast of Portobelo, Panama.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Drake

1. Francis Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.

2. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I aboard the Golden Hind in 1581.

3. Drake served as the Mayor of Plymouth in 1581.

4. He played a pivotal role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

5. Drake’s attacks on Spanish possessions made him a hero in England and a hated figure in Spain, where King Philip II offered a bounty of 20,000 ducats for his capture or death.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Drake

1. “There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.”

2. “It is not the laying down of any one battle, but the laying down of all battles, that brings peace.”

3. “Great things have small beginnings.”

4. “The sea is my second home.”

5. “Disturb the sea, and you disturb the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Drake’s net worth, including his treasure hauls, was estimated to be around £500,000 (equivalent to over £100 million today).

Children

Francis Drake did not have any biological children. He was married twice, first to Mary Newman (who died in 1583) and then to Elizabeth Sydenham, but neither marriage produced offspring.