33. Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Pirate
Sir Francis Drake (circa 1540 – 1596) was Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite pirate, and for good reason. The Virgin Queen invested in English pirates like modern venture capitalists invest in Silicon Valley startups, and she made out like a bandit from the returns on Drake’s high seas high jinks and predations.
The most celebrated seaman of the Elizabethan Era, Drake led one of history’s most adventurous seafaring careers. He became the greatest pirate of his day, preying upon Spanish shipping and coastal settlements. He also became the second man to circumnavigate the globe after Magellan’s expedition, during which endeavor he combined exploration with opportunistic plunder. He further cemented his place in history by playing a prominent role in defeating the 1588 Spanish Armada.