Portrait of Francis Drake

Francis Drake portrayed after his circumnavigation and the Armada campaign. Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. Public domain or freely licensed; see source record.

Historical person · Early Modern

Francis Drake

c. 1540–1596

English mariner, privateer and slave trader who circumnavigated the globe and fought the Spanish Armada.

Explore British HistoryRead biography ↓

Your next chapter starts here

Take history with you.

Create a free account or log in to download this guide as a PDF. Reading on the website is always free.

Create free account
Quick answers

What to know about Francis Drake

Direct answers to common questions about Francis Drake, followed by the full sourced biography.

Who was Francis Drake?

English mariner, privateer and slave trader who circumnavigated the globe and fought the Spanish Armada. Drake participated in early English slaving voyages before raiding Spanish possessions and completing a circumnavigation between 1577 and 1580. Elizabeth I knighted him and profited from his captured wealth. His role against the Armada became national legend, but violence, private war.

What is Francis Drake known for?

Francis Drake is particularly known for English mariner, privateer and slave trader who circumnavigated the globe and fought the Spanish Armada., British History.

When did Francis Drake live?

Francis Drake lived c. 1540–1596. This profile places that life within Early Modern and British History.

Why is Francis Drake historically significant?

Francis Drake's career belongs within British History. Their career illuminates the changing relationship between monarchy, Parliament, party, empire and popular politics. British history is also the history of its nations and its global connections, not only Westminster. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: English mariner, privateer and slave trader who.

Biography

Francis Drake: life and legacy

Overview

Drake participated in early English slaving voyages before raiding Spanish possessions and completing a circumnavigation between 1577 and 1580. Elizabeth I knighted him and profited from his captured wealth. His role against the Armada became national legend, but violence, private war and Atlantic slavery are inseparable from his career.

Life and career

Drake participated in early English slaving voyages before raiding Spanish possessions and completing a circumnavigation between 1577 and 1580. Elizabeth I knighted him and profited from his captured wealth. His role against the Armada became national legend, but violence, private war and Atlantic slavery are inseparable from his career.

Key events

c. 1540: Born. Francis Drake was born in c. 1540. Early Modern: Historical career. English mariner, privateer and slave trader who circumnavigated the globe and fought the Spanish Armada.

1596: Died. Francis Drake died in 1596.

Historical context

Francis Drake's career belongs within British History. Their career illuminates the changing relationship between monarchy, Parliament, party, empire and popular politics. British history is also the history of its nations and its global connections, not only Westminster. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: English mariner, privateer and slave trader who circumnavigated the globe and fought the Spanish Armada.

Key moments

Timeline

  1. Born

    Francis Drake was born in c. 1540.

  2. Historical career

    English mariner, privateer and slave trader who circumnavigated the globe and fought the Spanish Armada.

  3. Died

    Francis Drake died in 1596.

Connections

Related people

Keep reading

Related stories

Test your knowledge

Related quizzes

Evidence

Sources and further reading

  1. Francis Drake reference searchEncyclopaedia Britannica
  2. British History research guidesThe National Archives
  3. Biographical records and portraitsNational Portrait Gallery
  4. Historical people and primary sourcesLibrary of Congress
  5. Historical figuresEncyclopaedia Britannica

Biographical claims are summarised from the sources above. Interpretation and disputed reputations are identified in the text rather than presented as settled fact.