Francis Drake Biography

(Best Known for His Circumnavigation of the World in a Single Expedition)

Born: 1540

Born In: Tavistock, Devon, England

The first Englishman to sail around the world and see the Pacific, Francis Drake sailed in some of the earliest of English voyages, buying slaves in Africa. He was a skilled privateer, sea captain and slaver. He was awarded the knighthood by Queen Elizabeth I and was revered as a legendary hero in England. However, for the Spanish people, he was regarded as a pirate. They gave him the name, ‘El Draque'. Till date, he is hailed as one of the greatest navigators of his time. His life is an a example of how a common man manages to rise to the level of a great war hero and politician, a feat which was a rare accomplishment in the bygone era for a commoner. He played a pivotal role in establishing the supreme position of England over the Spanish forces and also seized large amounts of gold and silver from Spanish colonies. He was appointed the Mayor of Plymouth and also served as a Member of Parliament.

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Quick Facts

Nick Name: El Draque , Draco

Also Known As: Sir Francis Drake

Died At Age: 56

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Elizabeth Sydenham, Mary Newman

father: Edmund Drake

mother: Mary Mylwaye

Born Country: England

Sailors Explorers

Died on: January 28, 1596

place of death: Portobelo, Panama

Cause of Death: Dysentery

City: Devon, England

  • 1

    What were the key events in Francis Drake's naval career?

    Some key events in Francis Drake's naval career include his successful raids on Spanish treasure ships, his involvement in the English defeat of the Spanish Armada, and his circumnavigation of the globe.

  • 2

    How did Francis Drake impact British naval history?

    Francis Drake's successful naval exploits helped establish England as a major naval power and played a crucial role in securing its dominance over the seas during the Elizabethan era.

  • 3

    What was the significance of the Spanish Armada's defeat by Francis Drake and the English fleet?

    The defeat of the Spanish Armada by Francis Drake and the English fleet in 1588 was a turning point in European history, marking the decline of Spanish naval dominance and the rise of English naval power.

  • 4

    What was Francis Drake's role in the exploration and colonization of the Americas?

    Francis Drake was involved in numerous expeditions to the Americas, where he conducted raids on Spanish settlements and helped establish English presence in the region.

Childhood & Early Life
Francis Drake was born in Tavistock, Devon, England as the eldest son of a Protestant farmer, Edmund Drake and Mary Mylwaye. Since there is no accurate record of his birth, his date of birth is assumed.
His father worked on the estate of the second Earl of Bedford, Lord Francis Russell, who became his god father, after whom he was named. In 1549, his family relocated from Devonshire into Kent due to the Prayer Book Rebellion, a revolt of religious conflict.
At the age of 13, he went aboard a merchant ship as an apprentice and sailed to the seas. The ship he boarded sold goods between England and France. His shipmaster was impressed by his skills and manner.
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Later Life
Around the 1560s, he commanded his own ship named, ‘Judith'. He had a small fleet and his cousin, John Hawkin with him. He sailed the ship to Africa, where he pursued slave trade.
From Africa he set sail to New Spain to sell the captured slaves to the various settlers there. However, this action was against the laws of New Spain.
In 1568, he and his cousin, Hawkins were trapped in the Mexican port of San Juan de Ulua. The duo managed a dangerous escape, but other men who accompanied them were killed. This made him hate the Spanish land.
In 1572, Queen Elizabeth I granted him a privateer's commission, after which he went on his first solo voyage to Panama. He captured the town of Nombre de Dios and its treasure but was wounded during a raid.
They stayed in Nombre de Dios till his wounds healed and he returned to good health. They later looted gold and silver from various Spanish settlements and returned to Plymouth in 1573.
In November 1577, after the success of the Panama mission, Queen Elizabeth commissioned him to the Pacific coast of South America, where he was accompanied by two other men, John Wynter and Thomas Doughty.
After they raided many Spanish settlements, he took command over the mission. This did not go well with Thomas Doughty and the two did not share a harmonious relationship all through their journey across the Atlantic.
After he arrived off the coast of Argentina, he speculated that Thomas Doughty was planning a mutiny. He immediately arrested him, after which there was a trail held. Doughty was convicted and executed
Taking full command of the mission, he set sail to the Strait of Magellan, from where he aimed to reach the Pacific Ocean. They were caught up in a storm and the ship commanded by John Wynter returned back to England.
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In 1578, he reached the Pacific and continued his journey aboard his flagship ‘Golden Hind'. His ship sailed through the Pacific coast of South America and later attacked Spanish ports and towns.
He sailed to the coast of Chile and Peru and obtained gold and silver from unattended Spanish merchant ships. By 1579, he landed in California and claimed it in the name of the English Crown.
In 1580, he sailed back to Plymouth, after sailing across the Pacific, through the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope and England. With this, he became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world.
In 1581, he was appointed as the Mayor of Plymouth and at the same time he also served as a Member of Parliament.
In 1585, during the war between Spain and England, the Queen of England sent him to capture various parts of North and South America. This forced Spain’s King Philip II to invade England and thus vast Armada ships were constructed for the purpose.
In 1588, he was appointed as the vice admiral of the English Navy. While the English troops were bravely fighting against King Philip II’s Armada ships, he managed to capture a Spanish ship. They eventually defeated the fleet of Spanish Armada.
He was one of the commanders and leaders during the Battle of San Juan, in which he was defeated. The loss led to the victory of the Spanish forces. He was later shot by a cannonball while he was on his flagship, but managed to stay alive.
Awards & Achievements
On 4 April 1581, he was awarded the knighthood by Queen Elizabeth.
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Personal Life & Legacy
In 1569, he married Mary Newman, who died after twelve years of their marriage.
In 1585, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Sydenham.
He died at the age of 55 while he was at the Battle of San Juan, after he contracted dysentery and eventually died of fever. He was buried at sea in a lead coffin.
He did not have any children all his life. After his death, his property and titles were passed on to his nephew, who was also named Francis.
In 1961, a British TV series titled, ‘Sir Francis Drake' was made. Actor Terence Morgan played his role.
In 2009, a made-for-television movie titled, ‘The Immortal Voyage of Captain Drake', was directed by Rafael Jordan.
This British navigator has been a source of inspiration for many writers and filmmakers. His execution of Thomas Doughty inspired Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane poem, 'The One Black Stain'.
He has been the inspiration behind the video games, 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune' and ‘Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception'.
Several places in the UK have been named after him, including, HMS Drake, Drake’s Island the roundboat and Drake Circus.
The Drakes Bay and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard of Marin County in the United States are named in his honour.
Facts About Francis Drake

Francis Drake is rumored to have introduced the potato to England after bringing back a supply from his voyages to the Americas.

Drake was known for his fondness of the game bowls and reportedly had a bowling green built on board his ship, the Golden Hind.

Drake is said to have performed a daring feat of navigation by navigating the treacherous waters of the Strait of Magellan and becoming the first Englishman to complete the circumnavigation of the globe.

Drake was known for his ability to outmaneuver and outwit Spanish fleets, earning him the nickname "El Draque" (the dragon) among the Spanish.

Drake is believed to have been a skilled musician and played the lute, contributing to the entertainment of his crew during long voyages.

See the events in life of Francis Drake in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Francis Drake Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/francis-drake-3795.php

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