Sir Francis Drake: The Dashing Pirate Who “Discovered” Everything

Sir Francis Drake was a 16th-century English sea captain, explorer, and pirate. Born in Devon, England in 1540, Drake became famous for his daring voyages and pillaging, as well as being credited with the discovery of many things that, in reality, weren’t actually discovered by anyone.

Drake’s career began as a young sailor on slave ships. However, he quickly discovered that he preferred stealing treasure to stealing people. It wasn’t long before he became a notorious pirate, preying on Spanish ships and raiding their treasure.

In 1577, Drake was chosen by Queen Elizabeth I to lead an expedition to the Pacific Ocean, with the goal of raiding Spanish treasure ships and establishing trade with China. His voyage was a success, as he famously circumnavigated the globe and returned to England with a boatload of stolen treasure. He also “discovered” many new lands, such as modern-day California, claiming them for England whether anyone was already there or not.

Drake’s accomplishments went beyond piracy and “discovery,” however. He was also a skilled navigator and even invented his own version of the astrolabe. His naval tactics and innovations helped shape the future of naval warfare and earned him the lasting nickname of “The Sea Dog.” As for his personal life, he has been known to woo women with his beard and impressive treasure trove.

Unfortunately, Drake’s career was not without controversy. His attacks on Spanish ships and settlements angered the Spanish crown, leading to conflict that nearly resulted in war between England and Spain. His actions also had deadly consequences for the indigenous peoples he encountered, whom he often brutalized by taking their land and wealth. But hey, he did it all with a smile and a jolly attitude - isn’t that what really matters?

In any case, whether you see Drake as a hero or a villain, there’s no denying the impact he had on history. He paved the way for later explorers and changed the course of world events in ways that are still being felt today. Plus, he looked great while doing it.