William Borough
William Borough (1536–1599) was an English naval officer who was Comptroller of the Navy and the younger brother of Stephen Borough. He participated in the British attack on Cádiz in 1587. He was responsible for the drawing of several early maps including one of Russia.
William Borough
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- Name
- William Borough
- Born
- 1536
- Died
- 1599
- Nationality
- Kingdom of England
- Occupation
- cartographer
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Documentary summary
William Borough (1536–1599) was an English naval officer who was Comptroller of the Navy and the younger brother of Stephen Borough. He participated in the British attack on Cádiz in 1587. He was responsible for the drawing of several early maps including one of Russia.
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wikidata · Q8005722 · wikipedia · William Borough
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — William Borough • Born — 1536 • Died — 1599 • Allegiance — England England • Branch — Royal Navy • Commands — Bonavolia
Early life
Early life
Borough was born at Borough House, Northam Burrows, Northam, Devon, and his childhood experiences of voyages were those accompanying his older brother Stephen Borough and their uncle John Borough. In 1580 Borough was appointed Comptroller of the Navy, which post he shared initially with William Holstocke. In June 1583 he took ten pirate ships into custody and ensured that all ten masters were hanged at Wapping. In 1587 he sailed with Sir Francis Drake and was indicted for mutiny and cowardice but later acquitted and given command of the galley Bonavolia.
Family
Family
In 1571 he married Judith Jones; they had one son and one daughter. He later married Lady Jane Wentworth.
Works
Works
• A Discourse of the Variation of the Cumpas or Magneticall Needle (1581) – Internet Archive (bound with New Attractive by Robert Norman)
Map of the coasts of Norway, Lapland, and the northwest coast of Russia by the explorer and cartographer William Borough, 1557. Part of Lord Burghley's Atlas
William Borough · British Library Image
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reference work
- “William Borough”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
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authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q8005722: William Borough
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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