Francis Drake

NAME Francis Drake

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Francis Drake was an English sea captain, privateer, naval officer, and explorer. He is best known for leading the second successful circumnavigation of the globe (1577–1580) and for his role in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588.

BIRTH Francis Drake was born around 1540 at Crowndale Farm, near Tavistock, Devon.

FAMILY BACKGROUND He was the oldest of twelve sons born to Reverend Edmund Drake, and his wife Mary Mylwaye. Edmund Drake was a tenant farmer and a Puritan cleric. 

CHILDHOOD The Drake family lived in poverty during Francis's childhood3. When Francis was about 8 or 9 years old, the family fled from Devon to Kent due to religious persecution during the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549. There, his father ministered to sailors while the family lived in a leaky, cut-down ship. This unusual upbringing gave young Francis early experience in handling estuaries and coastal navigation.

EDUCATION Drake received a practical education in seamanship. His father arranged for him to be apprenticed to a neighbor, the master of a barque engaged in coastal trade with France. His skill and dedication impressed his master so much that, upon his death, he left the ship to Drake.

CAREER RECORD Apprenticed to a master of a coasting vessel who left him his ship at his death. 

1567 Given first command on the "Judith" part of a squadron of vessels on an ill-fated slave trading voyage in the Gulf of Mexico.

1570-71 Two trading voyages to the West Indies.

1572 Commanded two vessels in marauding expedition against Spanish ports in the Caribbean Sea.

1573-76 Sent to Ireland to quell rebellion.

1577-80 Sailed round the world

1581 Mayor of Plymouth

1584-85 Represented Bosinney in parliament.

1585 Made more raids against Spanish settlements in the West Indies

1588 Vice admiral of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.

1589-95 Returned to Parliament

1595 Sent on another expedition against the Spanish forces in the West Indies.

APPEARANCE Francis Drake was a man of medium stature, possessing a stocky and robust build. He sported brown or blonde hair and a full, red beard. His eyes were described as round, large, and clear, and he had a fair and cheerful countenance.  

Marcus Gheeraerts Francis Drake 1591

FASHION Drake's appearance was further enhanced by his fashionable attire.  Portraits reveal him clad in elegant clothing typical of his era.  He often wore a pale-colored satin doublet with slashed sleeves, combined with a bright red cape, jerkin, and hose.  A lace ruff typically adorned his neck. The use of expensive dyes, such as cochineal for his red garments, underscored Drake's wealth and social standing.

CHARACTER Drake was bold, ambitious, and fiercely determined. He was known for his leadership skills, tactical brilliance, and ruthless approach to naval warfare. He was also deeply religious, seeing his battles against Spain as part of a divine mission.

The ruthless commander was known to the Spanish as "El Draque" (The Dragon).

SPEAKING VOICE Drake’s voice was reported to be strong and authoritative, well-suited to command. His ability to inspire loyalty among his men played a significant role in his success.

Sir Francis Drake was noted at the Court of Queen Elizabeth for his strong Devon accent.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Drake was known for his wit and charm, qualities that made him both an effective leader and a captivating figure at court. He enjoyed playing practical jokes on his crew and was known to jest even in the face of danger. One legend claims that while playing a game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe in 1588, he remarked that there was plenty of time to finish before setting sail to fight the Spanish Armada.

Drake informed about the approach of the Armada By Lobsterthermidor at en.wikipedia 

RELATIONSHIPS Francis Drake married Mary Newman on July 4, 1569, at St Budeaux Church near Plymouth147. Mary was about 17 years old at the time, while Drake was 24. The marriage took place shortly after Drake returned from a disastrous voyage to Mexico.

The pattern of their marriage was set early on, with Drake frequently away at sea. Mary often stayed with her parents in Saltash while Drake was on his voyages. Despite Drake's long absences, the couple grew increasingly wealthy due to his successful privateering activities. 

The marriage lasted about 12 years, until Mary's death in January 1583. Drake and Mary did not have any children.

Francis Drake married Elizabeth Sydenham on June 18, 1583, just six months after losing his first wife. The wedding took place at Monksilver Church, which is located about half a mile north of Combe Sydenham Hall in Somerset, England. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Barret, Archdeacon of Exeter. Drake was in his early forties at the time, while Elizabeth was about 20 years old12.

Elizabeth was the only child and heiress of Sir George Sydenham, a wealthy landowner and Justice of the Peace. Drake's marriage to Elizabeth elevated his social standing, but they had no children. 

Elizabeth Sydenham Lady Drake by Georg Gower

Drake's close relationships with fellow seafarers, such as Sir John Hawkins, were instrumental in his success.

MONEY AND FAME Drake became one of the wealthiest men in England after circumnavigating the globe (1577–1580), capturing Spanish treasure along the way. Queen Elizabeth I personally knighted him on April 4, 1581 aboard the Golden Hind, cementing his fame. However, his wealth made him a target for Spanish hostility, and King Philip II of Spain allegedly placed a bounty on his head.

Image y ChatGBT

FOOD AND DRINK Francis Drake's crew, particularly during his historic circumnavigation, enjoyed a more diverse diet than most sailors of the 16th century.  While staples like ship's biscuit (hardtack), beer, and salted meats (beef and pork) formed the foundation of their meals, Drake prioritized procuring fresh provisions at every landfall.  This resulted in a significantly expanded menu.

Their diet included a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, figs, grapes, coconuts, plantains, and lemons, along with various herbs.  Protein sources were also diverse, ranging from fish and goats to wild hens, seals, elk, sea birds, and even large crayfish.  At different stops, they acquired local foods like squaw potato (a vital source of vitamin C), sago meal (rich in ascorbic acid), and spices such as nutmeg, ginger, and long pepper, as well as rice.  While beer was their primary beverage, Drake also stocked wine, brandy, and rum.

Drake's concern for his men's health was evident in his consistent efforts to secure fresh supplies.  This varied diet, particularly the inclusion of vitamin C-rich foods, likely played a crucial role in preventing scurvy, a common scourge of long sea voyages.  Compared to the typical sailor's rations of primarily salted meat, ship's biscuit, and beer, Drake's crew enjoyed a far richer and more nutritious menu, featuring tropical fruits, diverse fish, and even unusual meats like penguins and seals.  This attention to diet, combined with Drake's proactive approach to resupplying, contributed significantly to the relatively good health of his crew throughout their arduous circumnavigation.

On board the Golden Hind in the Pacific, Drake ate from “silver dishes with gold borders and gilded garlands,” and enjoyed “all possible dainties and perfumed waters.” Violas were played as he took his meals.

Drake introduced potatoes to England from Colombia, but the English were initially wary of the strange tuber, dismissing it as unhealthy. He also brought back exotic spices and other New World crops, which intrigued the English aristocracy. (1)

MUSIC AND ARTS While Drake himself was not a musician, he traveled with painters on the Golden Hind who documented landscapes in great detail, possibly as navigational aids. Francisco de Zarate wrote that Drake had aboard The Golden Hind  “painters who paint the landscape in its proper colors,” apparently making a kind of picture-book cartographic record that Drake or other mariners could follow around South America.

 Drake himself sometimes embellished his log with pictures of sea lions, birds, and trees. (2)

LITERATURE A deeply religious man, Drake carried Foxe’s Book of Martyrs with him on his voyages, a text detailing Protestant suffering under Catholic rule. This book reinforced his belief that he was waging a holy war against Spain.

NATURE Drake was an observant sailor with a fascination for the natural world. His logs included sketches of sea lions, exotic birds, and unfamiliar plant species encountered on his travels. He also studied the winds and currents, using this knowledge to his advantage in navigation.

PETS It was common for ships in Drake's era to carry animals, including dogs and parrots, as mascots or companions. 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Aside from his naval pursuits, Drake enjoyed the gentlemanly pastime of bowls. The famous story of him finishing a game before facing the Spanish Armada demonstrates both his composure and love for leisure.

Drake informed about the approach of the Armada By Lobsterthermidor at Wikipedia

SCIENCE AND MATHS Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe was not just a feat of seamanship but also one of mathematics and astronomy. He relied on advanced navigational techniques, using instruments such as the astrolabe to chart his course across the oceans.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY The Protestant Francis Drake's religious fervor was a driving force in his life and voyages. Evidence of this deep faith can be seen in his actions, such as conducting Protestant services in San Francisco Bay during his circumnavigation—considered the first such services in America.

This religious dimension was also evident in the broader context of the Anglo-Spanish rivalry.  While Philip II of Spain sought divine intervention for his Armada, complete with a papal license to depose Queen Elizabeth I, whom he termed "The Dragon of Heresy," and a fleet carrying 600 priests and monks with strict moral codes for the sailors and soldiers, the English, too, believed they had God on their side, along with superior ships.

Drake's personal faith was particularly intense.  Raised with a profound aversion to Roman Catholicism, he saw himself as a righteous counter to what he perceived as Spanish wickedness.  Onboard the Golden Hind in 1579, he demonstrated this conviction by holding daily prayer services and even occasionally delivering sermons to his crew.

POLITICS Drake was an influential figure in Elizabethan England, serving as Mayor of Plymouth in 1581. He also sat in Parliament multiple times, including as an MP for Bossiney in 1584 and Plymouth in 1593. Though primarily a naval figure, he played a role in shaping England’s military and colonial policies.

SCANDAL Francis Drake was considered a pirate by the Spanish, who offered a hefty reward of 20,000 ducats for his life, a sum worth approximately £4,000,000 ($6.5 million) in today's money. His exploits were viewed as scandalous by Spain, who saw his actions as attacks on their empire and treasure fleets.

Fancis Drake was involved in the massacre of approximately 600 people on Rathlin Island off the Antrim Coast in July 1575, despite their surrender. This event is considered one of the most brutal episodes in the conflict between English forces and the Scottish and Irish inhabitants of the region during the 16th centuy.

MILITARY RECORD The name "El Draque," the Spanish bogeyman, remained a chilling threat for naughty children well into the late 19th century.  This enduring fear stemmed from the real-life exploits of Francis Drake.  His history of conflict with Spain began in 1567 and 1572, accompanying Sir John Hawkins on plundering expeditions in the Spanish Main.  From these experiences onward, Drake was firmly established as a Spanish adversary.

Forewarned of rumors regarding a planned Spanish invasion of England, Drake took preemptive action.  In a bold move, he raided Cadiz on April 29, 1587, burning over 30 ships and 10,000 tons of shipping, effectively delaying the Armada's launch by a year.  This daring raid prompted his famous quip, "I have singed the Spanish King's beard."  His circumnavigation of the globe further cemented his reputation, including the capture of a Spanish treasure ship and the suppression of a mutiny in Patagonia.

When the Spanish Armada finally arrived, Drake served as second-in-command to Lord Howard of Effingham.  The English fleet, with its superior maneuverability and tactics, decimated the Spanish Armada, losing no ships while the Spanish lost roughly half of their 130 vessels.  The Armada's misfortune was compounded by a severe storm in the English Channel, which proved disastrous for the Spanish fleet.

Picture below shows Admiral Pedro de Valdés surrendering his sword to Francis Drake aboard Revenge during the attack of the Spanish Armada, 1588. Oil on canvas by John Seymour Lucas (1889)

Later, commanding 150 ships and 18,000 men, Drake attacked and nearly destroyed the Spanish port of La Coruna.  His subsequent attempt to take Lisbon, however, was unsuccessful.  Finally, in 1595, on his last expedition to the Caribbean with Hawkins, he captured Nombre de Dios on the north coast of Panama but failed to seize Panama City.

Drake's audacity extended to the Isthmus of Panama.  In early 1572, with Queen Elizabeth's blessing, he recruited runaway slaves to attack a gold-laden mule train, returning to England with a substantial treasure.  

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS  Francis Drake maintained good health and fitness throughout much of his life, which was essential for his career as a sailor and explorer. However, like many sailors of his time, Drake eventually succumbed to disease. He died of dysentery  at the age of about 56, during a failed expedition to Panama. This illness was a common affliction among sailors due to poor sanitation and limited access to clean water during long voyages.

Drake co-founded with Sir John Hawkins the Chatham Chest for disabled seamen, a charitable insurance scheme towards which each seaman contributed 6d per month. From this developed the Greenwich Hospital. 

HOMES Drake was born in Tavistock, Devon, likely in a modest home befitting his family's status as farmers and shearmen.

In the early 1570s, Drake lived in Plymouth, probably in a substantial house on Looe Street. This property included a house and garden, which he later leased out.

After his successful circumnavigation voyage , Drake purchased Buckland Abbey in Devon in 1581. This Grade I listed 700-year-old house became his primary residence3. Drake bought the abbey using a fraction of the treasure from his voyage, making him one of the richest men in England5.

Buckland Abbey remained in the Drake family until 1946 when it was acquired by the National Trust. Today, it serves as a museum showcasing Drake's life and adventures, featuring artifacts such as a statue of Drake and a picture of his ship, The Golden Hind. The famous drum he left behind, which could be sounded in times of need, remains on display at the abbey today.

Buckland Abbey By Hpschaefer - Wikipedia

TRAVEL Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe, though ultimately a resounding success, began as an unintended consequence.  Setting sail in December 1577, his expedition was initially planned as a voyage to the Pacific.  However, fate intervened when the Golden Hind (originally named the Pelican), a 75-foot vessel, became separated from the other ships in his fleet while rounding Cape Horn.  One ship was lost, and another was forced to return to England, leaving Drake and the Golden Hind to continue the journey alone.  Drake himself often navigated the treacherous waters around the cape in a small sailing boat, demonstrating his exceptional seamanship.

Pressing northward along the coasts of Chile and Peru, Drake eventually reached California.  On June 17, 1579, he claimed San Francisco for England, naming it New Albion.  The local Native Americans, believing the English to be divine beings, offered them their entire territory.  Drake, accepting this symbolic gesture, formally claimed the land in Queen Elizabeth's name, marking the occasion by erecting a post with an engraved metal plate.  Today, a National Park in San Francisco marks the approximate location where the Golden Hind anchored.

From New Albion, Drake steered southwest, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and finally reaching Portsmouth, England, in September 1580.  His triumphant return was marked by Queen Elizabeth I knighting him aboard the Golden Hind at Deptford.  Undoubtedly, the substantial treasure he brought back, valued at approximately £1 million, played a significant role in the Queen's decision.

Francis Drake in the Strait of Magellan by Thomas Somerscales

DEATH In 1596, Drake fell ill with yellow fever and dysentery during his final expedition to the West Indies. In his delirium, he insisted on dressing in his armor, wanting to die like a warrior. He passed away soon after on January 27, 1596. His body was placed in a lead coffin and dropped into the sea off Portobelo. Panama. His passing marked the end of an era for England’s most famous privateer.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Drake has been depicted in various films, books, and television series, often portrayed as a heroic explorer and pirate. His famous circumnavigation and his attacks on Spanish possessions continue to capture the imagination of audiences around the world.

1. Literature

The Famous Voyage of Sir Francis Drake (1589) – One of the earliest accounts of his journey, written by Richard Hakluyt.

"Drake’s Drum" (1897, poem by Henry Newbolt) – A famous English patriotic poem about his legend, suggesting he will return to defend England in times of need.

Historical novels – Various authors, including C.S. Forester (The Earthly Paradise) and George Malcolm Thomson (Sir Francis Drake), have fictionalized his adventures.

2. Film & Television

Drake of England (1935, film) – A British historical drama featuring Drake’s role in the Spanish Armada.

Sir Francis Drake (1961–62, TV series) – A British series starring Terence Morgan as Drake, focusing on his naval exploits.

Seven Seas to Calais (1962, film) – Rod Taylor portrays Francis Drake. Queen Elizabeth I tells him, "No man has ever saved the Queen more truly than you."

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007, film) – Though not a major character, Drake is depicted as part of Queen Elizabeth I’s defense against Spain.

Documentaries – Numerous history documentaries, such as BBC's Armada: 12 Days to Save England, have explored his life.

3. Music

The Youngbloods – "On Sir Francis Drake" (1969) – A song from Elephant Mountain referencing the explorer.

4. Video Games

Uncharted series (2007–present) – Nathan Drake, the protagonist, is a fictional descendant of Francis Drake, and the games reference the real Drake’s expeditions.

Sid Meier’s Pirates! (1987, 2004) – Players encounter historical figures like Drake in this swashbuckling strategy game.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) – The game includes references to Drake’s travels and artifacts.

ACHIEVEMENTS First Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.

Played a crucial role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Raided Spanish possessions and disrupted their trade routes, contributing to England's rise as a naval power.

Brought immense wealth and prestige to England.

Sources(1) Food For Thought by Ed Pearce (2) Encarta Encyclopedia

Drake

NAME Aubrey Drake Graham

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Drake is renowned as a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He gained prominence for blending R&B and hip-hop, producing chart-topping hits, and his influential role in modern music.

BIRTH Born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

FAMILY BACKGROUND 

Drake's father, Dennis Graham, is an African-American drummer from Memphis, Tennessee, who performed with Jerry Lee Lewis. His paternal uncles, Larry Graham and Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, are notable musicians; Larry was the bassist for Sly and the Family Stone, and Teenie co-wrote classics like "Love and Happiness" and "Take Me to the River" with Al Green. Drake once shared, "I've got crazy family history; my grandmother used to baby-sit for Aretha Franklin."  (1)

Drake's mother is Sandi Graham, who has worked as a teacher and florist. She is of Canadian Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. 

Drake is generally considered to be an only child from his parents' marriage.

CHILDHOOD Raised in Toronto, Drake experienced a diverse upbringing. After his parents' divorce when he was five, he lived with his mother in the city's Weston Road area before moving to the affluent Forest Hill neighborhood. Despite the area's wealth, they lived modestly in the lower half of a house. Drake faced challenges due to his mixed racial and religious background, attending a Jewish day school and celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. 

EDUCATION Drake attended a Jewish day school during his youth and celebrated his bar mitzvah. His parents divorced when he was five, leading him to live with his mother in Toronto's Weston Road area before moving to the affluent Forest Hill neighborhood. Drake attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later Vaughan Road Academy but faced bullying due to his racial and religious background, prompting him to leave school. He eventually earned his high school diploma in October 2012.

CAREER RECORD 2001 Drake's entertainment career began with his role as Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. 

2006 He released his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement

2009 He rose to prominence as a rapper with the release of his mixtape So Far Gone 

2012 Drake founded OVO Sound record label

2024 He engaged in a high-profile rap feud with Kendrick Lamar, resulting in diss tracks and public exchanges. 

APPEARANCE Drake stands at 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighs approximately 89 kg (196 lbs), possesses a physique with reported measurements of 44-34-16.  His dark brown eyes and black hair frame a face often adorned with a well-groomed beard, a signature feature of his overall look.  

He is known for his numerous tattoos, many of which carry symbolic meanings.  His hairstyles have also been a point of interest, with notable examples like the "heart haircut" during the promotion of his album Certified Lover Boy.

Drake in 2023. By Dr. Flikk - Own work, Wikipedia

FASHION  Drake frequently sports high-end designer clothing, often incorporating styles not traditionally associated with hip-hop. He has been spotted in custom varsity jackets, tailored suits, and casual athletic wear. His style evolution reflects his versatility and influence in the fashion world.

CHARACTER  Drake is often described as introspective and emotionally expressive, qualities that resonate in his music. He has a reputation for being hardworking, ambitious, and deeply connected to his roots and family.

SPEAKING VOICE Drake's speaking voice is smooth and articulate, carrying a mild Canadian accent. His tone conveys confidence and relatability, mirroring the emotive quality of his music.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Drake has demonstrated his comedic talent on numerous occasions, showcasing a self-deprecating and playful sense of humor. One notable example of Drake's comedic side is his appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2014, where he participated in several hilarious skits. In one memorable SNL sketch called "Drake's Beef," the rapper poked fun at his sensitive image by getting upset over minor inconvenience. 

RELATIONSHIPS Drake's romantic life has been a frequent topic of discussion, marked by a series of high-profile relationships and rumored flings.  One of his most significant connections was with pop superstar Rihanna.  Their on-again-off-again romance lasted for nearly a decade, starting in 2009.  The two collaborated on several successful songs and shared undeniable chemistry, culminating in Drake's public declaration of love for Rihanna at the 2016 MTV VMAs.  Despite this, their relationship eventually ended, and by 2018, Rihanna confirmed they were no longer in contact.

Another significant relationship in Drake's life was with Sophie Brussaux, a former adult film star turned painter.  This relationship resulted in the birth of his son, Adonis, on October 11, 2017.  Although Drake initially denied paternity, he later acknowledged his role as Adonis's father and has since embraced fatherhood.

Beyond these more prominent relationships, Drake has been linked to a number of other celebrities.  These include Jennifer Lopez, with whom he was spotted in 2016-2017, even gifting her a $100,000 diamond necklace.  

He also had an on-and-off relationship with tennis star Serena Williams spanning several years, from 2010 to 2015.  

Drake's song "Mr. Right Now" revealed a past connection with singer SZA, which she later confirmed, clarifying that it occurred in 2009.  

MONEY AND FAME Drake is one of the wealthiest and most famous musicians in the world. His success in music has led to lucrative endorsements and business ventures. He has multiple endorsement deals, including partnerships with brands like Nike and Apple Music. 

Drake founded OVO Sound record label in 2012.  It was  co-founded by Drake along with his long-time friends and partners Noah "40" Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib and established as an imprint of Warner Records. The name OVO stands for "October's Very Own," which is a reference to Drake's birth month. Since its inception, OVO Sound has focused primarily on Canadian artists, though it has expanded its roster over the years.

In February 2025, OVO Sound announced a new partnership with Santa Anna Label Group, a Sony Music venture.

Despite his fame, Drake maintains a connection to his roots, often referencing Toronto in his music and business ventures.

FOOD AND DRINK Drake's approach to food and drink has shifted over time, demonstrating a balance between health consciousness and occasional indulgences.  His diet typically revolves around lean proteins like grilled chicken, turkey, and fish, coupled with complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes.  He incorporates healthy fats from sources like avocados, olive oil, and nuts, and emphasizes the consumption of plenty of vegetables, especially leafy greens.  Drake generally avoids refined carbohydrates and excessive sugar, particularly when preparing for performances or public appearances.  More recently, he has reportedly transitioned towards a plant-based diet, confirming in 2024 during a gaming livestream that he no longer consumes meat.

When it comes to beverages, Drake enjoys alcohol but appears to do so in moderation.  He has been known to appreciate wine, particularly rosé, and even has his own whiskey brand, Virginia Black American Whiskey.  Champagne is another drink he has mentioned in his music.  He has also been seen drinking white wine spritzers, a choice that can help reduce calorie and alcohol intake.  Despite these indulgences, there are indications that Drake is mindful of his alcohol consumption. He has shared advice about managing drinking habits, such as discreetly avoiding drinks at social events, and has mentioned in interviews that while he may drink daily, he doesn't consider it excessive.

Drake allows himself occasional cheat meals.  He has expressed a fondness for Italian food, particularly pasta, as a cheat meal, and pizza has also been mentioned as a favorite treat.  

Drake has ventured into the food and beverage industry, including opening restaurants in Toronto. He has also expressed a love for various cuisines and often shares his culinary experiences on social media.

MUSIC CAREER In 2006, while still gracing the small screen, Drake ventured into the realm of music with his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement. This was followed by Comeback Season in 2007, both of which hinted at his burgeoning potential and piqued the interest of industry insiders. However, it was the 2009 mixtape So Far Gone, featuring the infectious single "Best I Ever Had," that propelled him into the limelight, sparking a frenzied bidding war among record labels.

Seizing the moment, Drake aligned himself with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment in 2009, a decision that would catapult him into the stratosphere of stardom. His inaugural studio album, Thank Me Later (2010), debuted triumphantly at number one on the Billboard 200, signaling the arrival of a new maestro in the music arena.

Subsequent albums such as Take Care (2011), Nothing Was the Same (2013), Views (2016), Scorpion (2018), Certified Lover Boy (2021), Honestly, Nevermind (2022), and For All the Dogs (2023) not only garnered critical acclaim but also dominated the charts with unwavering consistency.

Drake's career is a veritable tapestry of record-smashing feats. He boasts over a dozen number-one albums on the Billboard 200, a testament to his enduring appeal. Billboard anointed him the "Artist of the 2010s Decade" and ranked him as the 16th Greatest Artist of all time. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) crowned him the top-selling digital artist, with a staggering 244 million units sold in the United States alone. His 2016 opus, Views, reigned supreme for 13 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1, making him the first male solo artist in over a decade to achieve such a feat.

Drake's sonic alchemy lies in his seamless fusion of rapping and singing, a blend that has effectively blurred the demarcation between hip-hop and pop music. His penchant for introspective and emotive lyrics has carved out a novel niche within the hip-hop landscape, inspiring a new cadre of artists to explore the depths of vulnerability in their art.

Drake in 2010. By musicisentropy - https://www.flickr.com/photos/bandfan/4972213105/

ARTS  At 15, Drake began his entertainment career as an actor, portraying Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. He appeared in 138 episodes, playing a basketball star who becomes physically disabled after a school shooting.

Beyond his music career, Drake has shown interest in various art forms. He has produced television content and has a passion for visual arts, often collaborating with artists for his album covers and music videos.

LITERATURE Drake has referenced literary works in his lyrics and has expressed admiration for authors and poets, indicating a deep appreciation for literature.

NATURE While not extensively publicized, Drake has shown appreciation for nature, occasionally sharing images of natural landscapes and expressing a desire for tranquility away from his bustling career.

PETS  Drake has a fondness for animals and has been seen with pets, including dogs, showcasing his affectionate side towards animals. His pets include 

An Akita dog called Diamond gifted in 2016, who appeared with Drake in the digital booklet for his 2016 album Views.

An American Bully (XL) called Winter who was a Christmas gift in 2016

A Bengal cat called Cyatty, adopted in December 2022

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Drake is an avid sports fan, particularly of basketball. He is a global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors and frequently attends NBA games. He also enjoys playing basketball and has a court in his Toronto home.

Drake has taken up painting as a therapeutic and meditative activity, often sharing his artwork on social media. He is also an art collector, with a growing collection of pieces from renowned artists. He has a particular interest in contemporary art.

Drake is a fan of video games, particularly enjoying titles like Fortnite. He has even invested in the esports organization 100 Thieves.

SCIENCE AND MATHS His business ventures indicate a strategic and analytical mindset, essential for managing his diverse portfolio.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Drake has often explored themes of introspection and spirituality in his music. Raised in a multicultural environment with an African-American Catholic father and a white Canadian Jewish mother, he attended a Jewish day school and celebrated his bar mitzvah, experiences that have influenced his worldview and artistic expression.

POLITICS Drake has occasionally engaged in political discourse. In 2016, he penned an open letter addressing the shooting of Alton Sterling, expressing concern over systemic racism and police brutality. In 2021, he joined fellow Canadian artists in lobbying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to amend copyright laws, aiming to help artists regain ownership of their work during their lifetimes. Additionally, he has advocated for the establishment of a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) franchise in Toronto. In October 2023, Drake signed a letter calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. 

SCANDAL Throughout his career, Drake has faced various controversies. Notably, he has been involved in high-profile feuds with fellow artists, including a recent dispute with rapper Kendrick Lamar. Lamar's diss track, "Not Like Us," achieved significant success, leading Drake to file a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. Despite these challenges, Drake continues to maintain a strong presence in the music industry.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS To support his fitness regimen, Drake incorporates various supplements, including whey protein shakes for muscle recovery, pre-workout supplements, BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) to reduce muscle soreness, multivitamins, and omega-3s for overall health.  He also focuses on hydration, using hydration boosters like electrolyte drinks and coconut water.

In August 2021, Drake revealed he had contracted COVID-19, experiencing temporary hair loss as a side effect. He faced another bout with the virus in 2022, leading to the postponement of planned reunion concerts with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. In October 2023, Drake announced a hiatus from music to address ongoing stomach issues, stating, "I need to focus on my health first and foremost... I've been having the craziest problems for years with my stomach." 

HOMES Drake owns multiple properties, including a 35,000-square-foot estate in Toronto, nicknamed "The Embassy," built in 2017. This mansion, featured in his "Toosie Slide" music video, boasts luxurious amenities. In 2022, he purchased a Beverly Crest home from Robbie Williams for $70 million. Previously, he owned the "YOLO Estate" in Hidden Hills, California, from 2012 to 2022. 

TRAVEL Drake's career necessitates extensive travel, facilitated by his private Boeing 767 jet, "Air Drake." This customized aircraft underscores his global reach and commitment to maintaining a presence in various international markets.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Drake's music videos, notably "Hotline Bling," have become cultural phenomena, inspiring numerous memes and parodies. Drake has also hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live, showcasing his versatility and sense of humor.

ACHIEVEMENTS Drake's accolades are extensive. He maintained a record-breaking 430-week streak on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, beginning with "Best I Ever Had" in 2009 and concluding in August 2017. In March 2020, "Oprah's Bank Account" by Lil Yachty, featuring Drake and DaBaby, marked Drake's 208th entry on the Hot 100, surpassing the cast of Glee for the most Hot 100 hits in history. In 2021, he was honored as Artist of the Decade at the Billboard Music Awards.

Sources (1) Songfacts

Arthur Conan Doyle

NAME Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, and a prolific writer of other genres including science fiction, historical novels, and fantasy.

BIRTH Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859, at 11 Picardy Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND He was the first son and the third of ten children born to Mary and Charles Doyle. His mother, Mary, was a lively and intelligent woman who encouraged his love for storytelling. His father, Charles, was a civil servant and an artist but struggled with alcoholism and epilepsy, leading to his eventual confinement in an asylum.

CHILDHOOD Arthur was his parents' favorite child and showed an early talent for storytelling, writing his first story at the age of six. During his teenage years, he led a street gang, which later inspired his concept of the Baker Street Irregulars in the Sherlock Holmes stories.

EDUCATION Encouraged by his mother, Arthur attended Stonyhurst College, a strict Jesuit public school in England. He later studied medicine at Edinburgh University, where he earned his medical degree.

It was at Edinburgh that Doyle was taught by Dr. Joseph Bell, a professor known for his exceptional powers of observation and logical reasoning—qualities that inspired the character of Sherlock Holmes.

 In 1885, Doyle received a doctorate for his dissertation on syphilis.

CAREER RECORD During his studies Doyle took various minor assistantships, and served as ship's doctor on a Greenland whaling boat.

1882-90 Practised as a family doctor at Southsea. His income was so small that Doyle begins writing to help make ends meet.

1887 His novel A Study in Scarlet appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual, and introduced readers to Sherlock Holmes. 

1891 Moved to London as an eye specialist. 

1892 Gave up medicine to take up writing full time. 

1900 Senior physician of a field hospital in South Africa during the Boer War

1906 he was defeated as the parliamentary candidate for Hawick District, standing as a Unionist (Conservative). 

APPEARANCE Arthur Conan Doyle was a tall and imposing figure, standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.89 meters) tall, with a strong, broad build. He had a prominent, aquiline nose and a thick moustache in his later years.

Doyle's facial features were equally striking. He had sharp and piercing eyes that were a bright blue color. His face was characterized by heavy, dark, and bushy eyebrows, a thin, hawk-like nose, and thin, firm lips. He also possessed a prominent and square chin, which was indicative of his determination.

In addition to his height and facial features, Doyle weighed 220 lbs (100 kg) and had black hair. His overall appearance was often described as striking and commanding, with his tall stature and distinctive features making him a notable presence.

Portrait of Doyle by Herbert Rose Barraud, 1893

FASHION Doyle dressed in Victorian-era suits, often favoring waistcoats and bow ties. As he grew older, he adopted a more distinguished, formal style with hats and coats befitting a gentleman of his status.

CHARACTER Doyle was known for being a man of strong convictions, with a keen sense of justice. He was also described as being generous, kind, and somewhat idealistic. Doyle had an energetic, adventurous, and curious nature. Though he was deeply logical—like Sherlock Holmes—he also had a strong belief in spiritualism and the supernatural,

SPEAKING VOICE Arthur Conan Doyle had an articulate and educated manner of speaking, which aligns with his background as a writer and his social status. 

SENSE OF HUMOUR  Arthur Conan Doyle incorporated subtle pieces of humor into his novels and short stories. For example, in The Red-Headed League, Sherlock Holmes makes a seemingly modest statement that is actually quite boastful: "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labor, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else" (1).

He occasionally crafted lines worthy of Oscar Wilde, such as "It is, of course, a trifle, but there is nothing so important as trifles"

RELATIONSHIPS From 1882 to 1890, Arthur Conan Doyle practiced medicine in Southsea, England.  It was there that he met and married his first wife, Louise Hawkins on August 5, 1885. Their meeting was facilitated by Doyle's role as a cricket captain; Louise was a local woman, considered ordinary in appearance but possessing an annual allowance of £100.  

Their marriage was initially happy and devoted, producing two children in the first eight years. However, their happiness was shattered when Louise was diagnosed with tuberculosis.  Doyle cared for her for 18 months with the assistance of Jean Leckie, who would later become his second wife. 

During Louise's illness, Doyle and Leckie maintained a platonic relationship out of respect for Louise.  Jean, described as cheerful, dark-haired, and attractive, was 14 years younger than Arthur and possessed a fine singing voice.  Following Louise's death in 1906, Arthur married Jean on September 18, 1907 at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster. The ceremony was conducted quietly, with the location kept secret until the day of the wedding.

They had three children together: two sons and a daughter, Jean Conan Doyle, who later became director of the Women's Royal Air Force.  Tragically, Doyle's eldest son, Kingsley, died in World War I, a loss that intensified his interest in psychic phenomena. 

In total, Doyle had five children: Mary and Kingsley with Louise, and Jean, Denis, and Adrian with Jean.  

Doyle with his family c. 1923–1925

Doyle was deeply devoted to his family and, later in life, had a large circle of friends from various walks of life, including notable figures like Harry Houdini. His relationships with other prominent intellectuals, athletes, and public figures showed his wide-ranging interests and personal warmth.

MONEY AND FAME Though Doyle achieved fame for creating the iconic Sherlock Holmes, his financial situation fluctuated throughout his life. His success as a writer provided him with wealth, but his investments, particularly in spiritualism, did not always yield financial stability. Despite this, Doyle was never entirely concerned with amassing a fortune, preferring to focus on intellectual pursuits and personal passions. His fame, however, was undeniable, especially after Holmes became a household name.

A young £3 a week actor called Charlie once joked with Doyle during the rehearsal for one of their plays that Sir Arthur and he should pool their incomes and take half each for the rest of their lives. Sir Arthur declined "I don't think so Mr Chaplin" he replied. 

FOOD AND DRINK Doyle’s tastes were typical of his era, and he enjoyed hearty English fare. There are anecdotes of him indulging in elaborate dinners with friends, where the conversation was as rich as the meal. Like many of his time, he also drank tea regularly and was known to enjoy a glass of whiskey in moderation. Food and drink were often central to the social gatherings he cherished.

MUSIC AND ARTS Though Doyle’s primary focus was on writing, he had a deep appreciation for the arts. He was an avid supporter of the theater and even dabbled in writing plays. His personal library was filled with books on a variety of subjects, and he enjoyed attending concerts and plays. His sense of aesthetic also extended to his travel, as he admired the art and architecture of the places he visited.

SHERLOCK HOLMES After completing his medical degree, Arthur Conan Doyle set up shop as a doctor in Southsea, Portsmouth. It didn’t take long for him to discover that being a doctor was not quite as glamorous as he had imagined. Appointments, it seemed, were often conspicuously absent. With little else to do but twiddle his thumbs and stare at empty chairs, Doyle, not one to waste time, turned to writing short stories.

His first attempt at a full-length novel, The Narrative of John Smith, was lost en route to the publisher, vanishing into the ether like so many things in life that are inexplicably lost. But fate, as it often does, had a different plan for Doyle. In 1887, he published A Study in Scarlet, introducing the world to a detective who would go on to become more famous than anyone in the field of fiction, even if, at first, he hardly seemed likely to. It appeared in Beeton’s Christmas Annual, and with that, Sherlock Holmes was born.

First edition in annual cover, 1887

But it wasn’t until 1891, with the publication of A Scandal in Bohemia in The Strand Magazine, that Doyle’s life was irreversibly altered. The story was an absolute sensation, catapulting him to fame across Europe and the United States, and making Sherlock Holmes a household name. The phenomenon only grew from there.

Then came The Hound of the Baskervilles, a tale so gripping that it sent readers into a frenzy. Based on the eerie legends of ghostly hounds on Dartmoor, it was serialized in The Strand and had such a profound impact that magazine sales soared and readers camped outside the offices, eagerly awaiting each new installment. The story’s influence spread even further—long after Doyle’s pen had gone dry, Vincent Price’s haunting line, “Must stand and face the hounds of hell,” from Michael Jackson’s "Thriller," was a clear nod to The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Yet, despite the success of Holmes, Doyle grew increasingly disenchanted with his creation. What began as a modest idea had ballooned into a “monstrous growth,” as he called it, and, frustrated with his literary offspring’s shadow over his career, he decided to do away with Holmes once and for all. In The Final Problem, he plunged the detective into the abyss at Reichenbach Falls, his diary entry for the day bluntly stating, “Killed Holmes.”

But, as is often the case with characters who refuse to stay dead, the public demanded Holmes’s return. Doyle, reluctantly, revived the detective in The Return of Sherlock Holmes, but, by the end of his career, had once again retired him, retreating to the tranquil life of beekeeping in the countryside, far from the chaos of his famous creation.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Holmes refused to fade into obscurity. The Abbey National Bank, which had moved into 221B Baker Street, began receiving such an overwhelming amount of fan mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes that it hired staff to respond. Their answer was always the same: the great detective was living out his golden years in quiet retirement.

LITERATURE Doyle was a compulsive writer. Though best known for his Sherlock Holmes stories, Doyle was not a one-trick writer. He wrote historical novels, including The White Company, which drew on his interest in medieval history. His exploration of spiritualism and the occult, particularly after the deaths of his loved ones, was another area of his literary focus. Doyle’s literary output reflects his intellectual curiosity and wide-ranging interests.

Doyle considered his historical novels, such as Micah Clarke (1889) and The White Company (1891), to be his greatest literary achievements—far superior to his Sherlock Holmes stories. 

Aside from his novels and stories, he was known for writing letters to newspapers on a wide range of topics, from gout to the use of bicycles in trench warfare. 

NATURE A passionate outdoorsman, Doyle had a deep connection to nature. His travels often took him to remote and rugged parts of the world, where he could engage in activities like hunting, fishing, and hiking. His love for nature was also reflected in his writing, where many of his stories are set against the backdrop of wild, untamed landscapes.

PETS Arthur Conan Doyle owned at least one notable pet, a collie dog named Roy. Roy became the subject of a legal case in April 1913 when he was accused of killing a sheep belonging to a farmer named Arthur Hale.

Roy was described as a valuable and beautiful collie who was the playfellow of Conan Doyle's children5. The dog had a distinctive physical characteristic: a malformation of the jawbone that made it difficult for him to eat anything but the softest foods.

During the court case, which took place at Mark Cross Police Court in Tunbridge Wells, Conan Doyle personally defended Roy. He argued that due to Roy's jaw condition, the dog was physically incapable of killing a sheep. This claim was supported by evidence from a veterinary surgeon.

Conan Doyle's defense of Roy was successful, demonstrating not only his affection for his pet but also his skill in applying deductive reasoning to real-life situations. The case received media attention, with The New York Times reporting on it under the headline "Sherlock Holmes Wins."(2)

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Doyle was an accomplished cricketer, captaining Portsmouth Cricket Club and even taking a prestigious wicket—WG Grace’s—for 110 runs in 1900. His cricket prowess was further demonstrated when he took 7 wickets for 51 runs for MCC before lunch. 

He was also a pioneering skier, one of the first to promote skiing as an international sport, particularly in Switzerland. 

Doyle was a football player in his youth, serving as a goalkeeper for Portsmouth AFC in the 1880s. He once said “Better, that our sports should be a little too rough than that we should run a risk of effeminacy”. 

Doyle was a keen amateur boxer. He was one of the first members of London's National Sporting Club in 1891, where he excelled in boxing. He even built a garage at his home to use as a boxing rink and challenged visitors to matches.

In 1903, Doyle organized a rifle-shooting contest at his country house, Undershaw, where his team ranked second. He founded the Undershaw Rifle Club, which had 200 members.

Doyle was elected captain of the Crowborough Beacon Golf Club in Sussex for 1910.

Doyle started playing billiards after his 50th birthday. He won his first competition in 1913 and entered the English Amateur billiards championship that same year

Doyle was known for his role as a British official during the 1908 London Olympics marathon, where he helped oversee the event. 

SCIENCE AND MATHS Doyle's writings often included scientific elements, from medical mysteries to explorations of new technologies.

The treatise of Sherlock Holmes' nemesis Moriarity on the binomial theorem placed him as one of the world's leading mathematicians. 

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Arthur Conan Doyle came from an Irish Catholic family, but by the time he left school, he had rejected his Catholic upbringing and became an agnostic.

In his later years, Doyle became deeply interested in Spiritualism and other psychic phenomena, particularly after the deaths of his brother and son during the First World War. His belief in these subjects grew stronger, and by the 1920s, he was traveling the world, giving lectures as an evangelist for Spiritualism. 

While preparing an article for the Strand Magazine, Arthur Conan Doyle encountered a photograph depicting a young girl with four butterfly-winged, dark-haired sprites dancing on a bush.  Presented with other similar photographs, Doyle became convinced of the fairies' authenticity and championed their existence in his Strand article. This stance proved controversial, and many readers questioned Doyle's judgment, believing he had ventured into irrational territory.

Doyle's fervent belief in fairies and other supernatural entities led to some ridicule. Many questioned his sanity, as he failed to use Sherlock Holmes' skeptical reasoning on this matter.

POLITICS Doyle was politically active, twice running for Parliament as a Liberal Unionist. He contested elections in Edinburgh and the Border Burghs, where he received a respectable number of votes but was never elected.

SCANDAL One of the more unusual aspects of Doyle's life was his enthusiasm for the supernatural. His beliefs in Spiritualism and his promotion of fairy photos, combined with his lack of skepticism in these matters, led to public skepticism about his mental stability. This added a layer of controversy to his legacy.

One of the five photographs of Frances Griffiths with the alleged fairies

Arthur Conan Doyle was not only a writer of fiction but also a champion of justice.  He played a crucial role in overturning wrongful convictions in at least two notable cases.  The first involved George Edalji, a young Indian clergyman arrested in 1903 for a series of horse and cattle mutilations.  Despite questionable evidence, Edalji was sentenced to seven years of hard labor.  Doyle became convinced of Edalji's innocence, suspecting racial bias in the case.  Through persistent lobbying, he persuaded the government to establish a commission, which ultimately exonerated Edalji.  This case was instrumental in the establishment of the Court of Criminal Appeal in 1907, meaning Doyle's efforts not only helped Edalji but also created a system to address future miscarriages of justice.

Doyle also intervened in the case of Oscar Slater, a German Jew and gambling-den operator convicted in 1908 of murdering an 82-year-old woman.  Doyle was intrigued by inconsistencies in the prosecution's case and suspected that Slater had been framed. While the Edalji case saw a successful resolution, the outcome of Doyle's involvement in the Slater case is less clear.

MILITARY RECORD Arthur Conan Doyle served as senior physician at the Langman Field Hospital in South Africa during the Boer War from 1899 to 1902. Specifically, he arrived in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in April 1900 and worked at the hospital for about three and a half months during a severe typhoid epidemic. Doyle was motivated by patriotism and adventure to join the medical staff of this private field hospital, which was endowed by philanthropist John Langman.

During his time at the Langman Hospital, Doyle and his colleagues faced overwhelming numbers of typhoid patients. The hospital, originally set up on a cricket pitch, was meant to accommodate 100 beds but took in 50% more patients due to the extreme pressure of the epidemic. Doyle later recounted that as many as fifty men died in one day, with over 1,000 new graves testifying to the severity of the outbreak

Doyle's experiences in South Africa, including the conditions he witnessed and his role in supporting the British war effort, earned him a knighthood in 1902. He was particularly recognized for his pamphlet justifying England's role in the war.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Though Doyle suffered from heart trouble for several months before his death, his physical health was generally robust throughout his life. He was known for his active lifestyle, including a seven-month voyage as a surgeon on a whaling trip. During this journey, he earned the nickname "The Great Northern Diver" due to his tendency to fall off ice floes into freezing Arctic waters.

HOMES Arthur Conan Doyle's childhood was marked by frequent moves due to his father's financial instability.  He spent his early years at Picardy Place in Edinburgh until his family could no longer afford the rent.  For two years in the 1860s, he found refuge from his alcoholic father at 18th-century Liberton Bank House, also in Edinburgh.  

Doyle optimistically set up an eye surgery clinic at 2 Devonshire Place in London in 1891, only to discover that his skills were rarely in demand. Left with an abundance of free time (and a conspicuous lack of patients), he devoted himself to writing.

Following the publication of his first Sherlock Holmes story., Holmes upgraded to 2 Upper Wimpole Street. The detective was becoming a sensation, and Doyle’s living quarters improved accordingly.

The most famous of his homes, Undershaw in Hindhead, Surrey was a grand 10,000-square-foot house set on four acres, designed to accommodate the health needs of his first wife. Doyle lived here from 1897 to 1907, a decade during which he penned some of his most iconic works, including The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Façade of Undershaw with Doyle's children, Mary and Kingsley, on the drive. Victorian Society,

Following the death of his first wife in 1906, Doyle remarried and settled at Windlesham Manor in Crowborough, East Sussex, where he spent his later years. Though his detective may have been immortal, Doyle himself was slowing down—albeit in a setting befitting a literary legend. It was here that he passed away in 1930. He was initially buried in the rose garden of Windlesham Manor but was later re-interred at Minstead, Hampshire, when the estate grounds were sold.

TRAVEL Doyle traveled extensively throughout his life, not only for work but also for his personal interests. His travels took him to Africa, Europe, and beyond. His visit to the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland during a holiday with his wife provided the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes' dramatic demise.

DEATH Arthur Conan Doyle died on July 7, 1930, from a heart attack at his home in Windlesham Manor. His last words were "You are wonderful," spoken to his wife, Jean Leckie. He passed away on Dr. Watson's birthday, a poignant detail considering Watson's close association with his most famous creation. Doyle's grave, located in the churchyard at Minstead, Hampshire, is marked with the epitaph: "Steel true. Blade straight. Arthur Conan Doyle. Knight/Patriot, Physician, and man of letters."

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Doyle’s most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, has been portrayed in countless films, television shows, and other media adaptations. Holmes is considered the most portrayed fictional character in history, and his stories have shaped the crime genre, influencing writers and filmmakers worldwide.

ACHIEVEMENTS Sherlock Holmes: Created one of the most iconic fictional characters in history, whose methods influenced contemporary police practices.

Detective Work: Doyle applied his detective skills to real-life cases, successfully clearing the names of wrongly convicted individuals, such as George Edaljee and Oscar Slater.

Knighthood: Knighted in 1902 for his work during the Boer War and his contributions to the British war effort.

Literary Impact: His work popularized detective fiction and contributed significantly to the genre's development.

Source (1) Simanaitis Says (2) Visit Portsmouth

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Frederick Douglass

NAME Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist, writer, and orator who escaped slavery and became one of the most influential voices against slavery in the 19th century. His autobiographies, speeches, and activism played a crucial role in the fight for emancipation and equal rights.

BIRTH Frederick Douglass was born in February 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but he later chose February 14 as his birthday.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Douglass was born into slavery. His mother, Harriet Bailey, was an enslaved woman, and his father was believed to be a white man, possibly his enslaver.  He had limited contact with his mother before she passed away as she was hired out to another plantation.

CHILDHOOD  As a child, Douglass experienced the brutal conditions of slavery, including physical abuse and forced labor. He was sent to Baltimore to work for the Auld family, where Sophia Auld began teaching him the alphabet before her husband forbade it. Despite this, he secretly taught himself to read and write, realizing that literacy was a path to freedom.

EDUCATION Though largely self-taught, Douglass used every opportunity to learn. He read newspapers, books, and political essays, educating himself on abolitionist thought. His intellectual growth fueled his desire to escape slavery.

CAREER RECORD Slave (until his escape in 1838)

Ship caulker (after escaping)

Abolitionist speaker and lecturer

Writer and journalist (founded The North Star newspaper)

Government official (held various positions, including U.S. Minister to Haiti)

APPEARANCE Douglass was known for his striking and dignified presence. He had a tall, strong build and was often photographed with his piercing gaze, symbolizing his confidence and defiance against oppression.

Portrait c.1879

FASHION He dressed in elegant and formal attire, often wearing suits with high collars, waistcoats, and cravats. His polished style reinforced his image as an educated and respectable leader.

CHARACTER Douglass was known for his intelligence, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice. He was deeply principled, fiercely independent, and dedicated to the cause of human rights, even when faced with threats and opposition.

SPEAKING VOICE He had a deep, powerful voice that captivated audiences. His speeches were eloquent, passionate, and persuasive, often mixing logic with emotional storytelling to highlight the injustices of slavery.

On July 5, 1852, Douglass delivered his famous speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" In it, he criticized the hypocrisy of celebrating American freedom while millions remained enslaved, making it one of the most powerful indictments of slavery in U.S. history.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Despite the seriousness of his mission, Frederick Douglass possessed a sharp wit and a keen sense of humor. His speeches often included biting satire and clever wordplay, which helped him connect with audiences. He once remarked that the United States celebrated liberty while denying it to millions, saying, “The Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

RELATIONSHIPS Frederick Douglass married twice in his lifetime.

His first marriage was to Anna Murray on September 15, 1838, in New York. Anna was a free Black woman who played a significant role in Douglass's escape from slavery. Together, they had five children: Rosetta, Lewis Henry, Frederick Jr., Charles Remond, and Annie. Annie, their youngest, died at the age of ten.

Anna Murray Douglass c. 1860

After Anna's death in 1882, Douglass married Helen Pitts on January 24, 1884. The wedding took place at the home of a mutual friend. Helen was a white suffragist and abolitionist, about twenty years younger than Douglass. This second marriage did not produce any children. Their interracial marriage was controversial, but Douglass dismissed criticism, saying, "This proves I am impartial. My first wife was the color of my mother, and my second, the color of my father."

Pitts, seated, with Frederick Douglass. The standing woman is her sister, Eva Pitts.

MONEY AND FAME Douglass gained wealth and international fame through his best-selling autobiographies and public speaking tours. His lecture fees and book sales provided him with a comfortable income, which he used to fund abolitionist efforts and support his family. However, he remained committed to the cause, once rejecting a high-paying government job because he feared it would compromise his activism.

FOOD AND DRINK Douglass wrote about how food was used as a tool of oppression in slavery. He described how enslaved people were often given just enough to survive, while their enslavers feasted. As a free man, he appreciated fine dining and entertained guests with thoughtful conversation over meals.

Douglass recognized the impact of nutrition and living conditions on physical development. He observed how improved diet led to better physical growth among Irish Americans, demonstrating his awareness of the connection between lifestyle and bodily health.

Despite being a teetotaler, Douglass reportedly enjoyed cigars.

MUSIC AND ARTS Douglass was deeply moved by music and the arts. He believed spirituals and folk songs sung by enslaved people were not expressions of joy, but of sorrow and resistance. His influence in the arts extended to classical music, as he introduced soprano Marie Selika Williams at her historic White House performance in 1878.

Douglass enjoyed playing the violin and taught his grandson to play as well.

Frederick Douglass was one of the most photographed Americans of the 19th century, surpassing other notable figures like Abraham Lincoln and Walt Whitman.  Douglass deliberately used photography as a tool to transform the perception of Black Americans and challenge stereotypes. He understood the power of visual representation and spent considerable time posing for photographs, estimated at over 26 hours if each exposure took an average of 10 minute. Douglass never smiled for photos, specifically to counter the notion of a happy slave.

LITERATURE A self-taught reader, Douglass saw literacy as the key to freedom. His love for literature began when he secretly read books like The Columbian Orator, which shaped his views on human rights. He later became a best-selling author, with Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) My Bondage and My Freedom (1855), and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881), cementing his legacy as one of the greatest writers of the 19th century. 

 Douglass founded The North Star, an abolitionist newspaper, in 1847. The paper’s motto—"Right is of no sex, Truth is of no color, God is the Father of us all, and we are all Brethren"—was both an editorial stance and a polite way of telling racists and sexists to go take a hike.

NATURE Douglass often found solace in nature, particularly the Chesapeake Bay, which he longed to cross as a young enslaved boy. He also enjoyed walks in Washington, D.C., and Rochester, New York, where he lived for many years. His connection to nature was both personal and symbolic, representing the freedom he fought for.

PETS Douglass wrote about how enslaved children, including himself, sometimes found comfort in animals when human kindness was denied to them. He sometimes used the image of the horse in his writings and speeches, often to draw comparisons between the treatment of animals and the dehumanization of enslaved people.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS  Douglass famously fought back against Edward Covey, a "slave-breaker" known for his brutality. This physical confrontation lasted for two hours and marked a turning point in Douglass's life, after which he was determined to protect himself from physical assaults. Following the incident with Covey, Douglass made a conscious decision to maintain his physical strength to defend himself against potential attacks. (1) 

 Douglass had a collection of walking canes, indicating an interest in these items.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Douglass recognized the importance of scientific advancement and education. He championed equal access to education for African Americans, including in science and mathematics, believing knowledge was the pathway to true liberation.

ACTIVISM It is hard to overstate how impressive Frederick Douglass was. Born into slavery, after escaping to freedom on September 3, 1838, he dedicated his life to abolition and civil rights. 

Douglass first took up public speaking in 1841 after being recruited by the American Anti-Slavery Society. His storytelling was so gripping that some people refused to believe he had ever been enslaved. (The notion that an enslaved person could be both eloquent and highly intelligent was apparently too much for them to handle.) In response, Douglass wrote his 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which quickly became a bestseller and only made the skeptics more suspicious. His former enslaver, enraged to find Douglass famous and free, made noises about recapturing him—so Douglass wisely took an extended trip to Europe.

Frederick Douglass, c. 1840s, in his 20s

During his travels in Britain and Ireland (1846–47), Douglass not only spread the message of abolition but also won over so many admirers that they raised money to officially purchase his freedom. (It is a strange quirk of history that one of America’s greatest champions of liberty had to be bought out of bondage.) He returned to Britain again in 1859–60 for another lecture tour, because if there was one thing Douglass loved more than an audience, it was an audience that actually listened.

By the time the Civil War broke out, Douglass was a force to be reckoned with. He met with Abraham Lincoln, recruited Black men for the Union Army (including two of his own sons), and relentlessly pressed Lincoln to make the war about ending slavery, not just preserving the Union. Lincoln, convinced he was going to lose reelection in 1864, even asked Douglass to organize a last-ditch effort to free as many enslaved people as possible before the next president could undo progress. (Lincoln ultimately won, so Douglass didn't have to.)

Douglass was also a champion of women’s suffrage—an uncommon position for a man in the 19th century. In 1848, he was the only Black person to attend the Seneca Falls Convention, where he argued that denying women the vote made as little sense as denying it to Black men (which, frankly, was also still happening). When some attendees hesitated about pushing for women's suffrage, Douglass pointed out that demanding anything less than full equality was an insult to the movement.

Douglass spent the rest of his life fighting for justice, including securing rights for formerly enslaved people in the postwar era. He became the first African American to hold high political office when he was appointed consul-general to Haiti. His home, Cedar Hill, became a hub of intellectual discussion, activism, and possibly some very well-argued dinner parties.

He died in 1895, after attending a women’s rights meeting—fitting, as he never stopped fighting for equality. 

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Douglass believed in the power of moral reasoning and personal growth. He held a deep faith in God but rejected organized religion when it failed to uphold justice. His writings frequently invoked biblical themes, and he saw the struggle against slavery as both a political and spiritual battle. Douglass also valued self-education and considered knowledge a sacred tool for liberation.

Douglass was a fierce critic of the hypocrisy of American Christianity, denouncing what he called the "Christianity of this land," which condoned or ignored the horrors of slavery. Instead, he embraced "the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ."

POLITICS A lifelong advocate for justice, Douglass was a staunch Republican in the era when the party was the leading force for abolition and civil rights. He advised several U.S. presidents, including Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, and spoke out for universal suffrage. While he initially supported the 15th Amendment, granting Black men the right to vote, he was criticized for prioritizing it over women’s suffrage—though he remained an ally of the movement.

SCANDAL Douglass’s second marriage to Helen Pitts, a white woman nearly 20 years his junior, caused controversy in both Black and white communities. Many in the Black community saw it as a betrayal, while white society was outraged by the interracial union. Despite the backlash, Douglass and Pitts remained committed to each other. 

MILITARY RECORD Though Douglass never served in the military, he played a crucial role in recruitment during the Civil War. He personally met with Lincoln and urged him to allow Black men to enlist in the Union Army. Douglass’s own sons, Lewis and Charles, served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first African American regiments.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Douglass was known for his imposing presence—standing nearly six feet tall with a powerful physique. He maintained an active lifestyle, including horseback riding. His demanding schedule of speaking engagements and writing took a toll on his health, but he remained vigorous well into his later years.

HOMES Douglass lived in several significant homes, including his residence in Rochester, New York, where he published The North Star. In his later years, he moved to Cedar Hill, a grand estate in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., where he spent his final years. The home is now preserved as a National Historic Site. 

Cedar Hill, Douglass's house in tWashington, D.C.

Douglass had a special cabin called the "Growlery" where he would retreat for contemplation and writing

TRAVEL Douglass was an extensive traveler, not just across the United States but internationally. He toured Great Britain and Ireland, where he was welcomed as a hero and even raised funds to officially purchase his freedom from his former enslaver. His European travels also reinforced his belief in global human rights.

DEATH Frederick Douglass died suddenly on February 20, 1895, at his home in Anacostia, Washington D.C., at the age of 77. He had attended a meeting of the National Council of Women earlier that day and suffered a heart attack upon returning home.

The funeral service for Douglass was held on February 25, 1895, at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington D.C.. The body lay in state at the church for public viewing until 3 p.m., when the service began. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J.G. Jenifer, with participation from Bishops Turner and Wayman. John W. Hutchinson, a lifelong friend and abolitionist singer, performed a solo.

Following the Washington D.C. services, Douglass's remains were transported to Rochester, New York, where he had lived for 25 years. On February 26, 1895, a memorial service was held at Rochester's Central Church. Afterward, an honor guard escorted the body to Mount Hope Cemetery for interment.

Douglass was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Section T, Plot 2635. His grave, along with that of Susan B. Anthony, is one of the most visited sites in this Victorian cemetery. A marker guides visitors to the gravesite from the cemetery's Fifth Avenue.

After Douglass's death, his second wife, Helen Pitts Douglass, established the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association to preserve his legacy. In 1962, Douglass's Cedar Hill home became part of the National Park system and was later designated as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in 1988

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA  Douglass has been portrayed in numerous films and television programs, often appearing as a wise, booming-voiced abolitionist who is somehow always the smartest person in the room (which, to be fair, was usually true). 

Some notable portrayals include:

Raymond St. Jacques in Glory (1989), where Douglass appears briefly but meaningfully in a film about the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which he helped recruit.

Jeffrey Wright in Freedom: A History of Us (2003), a PBS documentary series that dramatizes key moments in American history.

David Oyelowo in The Good Lord Bird (2020), based on James McBride’s novel, where Douglass is depicted as both brilliant and a bit of an egotist—historically accurate, but played with a humorous twist.

Douglass has been featured in countless biographies, including his own three autobiographies, which remain some of the most powerful works of American literature. More recently, he has appeared in graphic novels like The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave’s Journey from Bondage to Freedom (2018), making his story accessible to a new generation.

His speeches and writings have been sampled in songs, including hip-hop and spoken word pieces. He’s also been referenced in everything from The Simpsons to Saturday Night Live, proving that his legacy isn’t just historical—it’s part of modern culture.

ACHIEVEMENTS Escaping from slavery

Becoming a powerful voice in the abolitionist movement

Publishing influential autobiographies

Founding and editing The North Star newspaper

Advising presidents and holding government positions

Championing civil rights and equality for African Americans

Sources (1) Britannica