Sir Francis Drake Sir Francis Drake was a very famous privateer, or pirate. Drake accomplished many things, went on secret voyages, and died on a voyage to wage war on Spain. Sir Francis Drake lived a very adventurous life. Francis Drake was born near 1540-1544. No birth records exist for him so this date was based from later events. His parents were Edmund Drake and Mary Mlwaye Drake. Drake was the eldest of twelve sons. Francis was born near Tavistock in Devonshire, England. Edmund Drake was a tenant farmer on the estate of Lord Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford. Sir Francis Drake had reddish, curly hair. Drake made many accomplishes later in life. Francis Drake lead the second expedition all the way around the word. Drake was, however, the first englishman to sail all the way around the world. Drake claimed part of the west coast of North America for England. He also, rescued some Roanoke settlers. “He is most well known for his circumnavigation of the globe, his participation in the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and his Adventurous privateering.” (The Mariners’ Museum)…show more content… Drake had 166 men with him when he began this secret voyage. Two ships had to be abandoned in the Rio de la Plata estuary of South America after crossing the Atlantic ocean. In August, 1578 the three ships still remaining continued to the Strait of Magellan. They then sailed into the Pacific ocean where multiple violent storms destroyed one of the remaining ships. One of the two ships left sailed back to England. The last ship had Drake on it and had been blown far south. Drake sailed on in his ship, the Golden Hind, continuing the voyage until the end. When he got back to England, Drake went on many more voyages until he was called upon by the Queen for what will be his last