Sir Francis Drake Timeline By mgunning Aug 1, 1540 Sir Francis Drake Birthday Period: Dec 1, 1540 to Aug 27, 1596 His life Period: Dec 24, 1540 to Dec 25, 1596 his life Feb 24, 1569 he married Mary Newman Dec 24, 1585 he married Elizibeth Sydenham May 15, 1588 Sir Francis Drake Death Jun 12, 1588 He was second-in-command of the English fleet