born 0441; 1532, probably Footscray, Kent, Eng.
died April 6, 1590, London
English statesman and adviser to Queen Elizabeth I (157390).
A member of Parliament from 1563, he became ambassador to the French court (157073) and established friendly relations between France and England. He was admitted to the Privy Council in 1573 and became secretary of state to Elizabeth I. Although not allowed to pursue an independent policy, he faithfully executed Elizabeth's foreign policy. He proved invaluable in uncovering conspiracies by Catholics against Elizabeth's life, including the plots by Francis Throckmorton (1583) and Anthony Babington (1586) to free Mary, Queen of Scots .