Origins & Early Life

John Davis (c. 1550 – 29 December 1605) was an explorer, navigator and privateer. He led several voyages in search of the Northwest Passage and served as pilot and captain on both Dutch and English voyages to the East Indies. He discovered the Falkland Islands in August 1592.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Loosely related to Ryan and Jacob Davis. John Davis was born around 1550 at Sandridge near Dartmouth in Devon, in south-west England. He grew up in the parish of Stoke Gabriel and spent his childhood at nearby Sandridge Barton. Little is known about Davis's early education, although his later writing and navigational abilities suggest he received a good education from an early age. Among Davis's childhood neighbours were Adrian Gilbert, his brother Humphrey Gilbert, and their half-brother Walter Raleigh.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Humphrey Gilbert later became an explorer, while Raleigh later became known as a courtier, writer, and explorer. From early on, Davis also became friends with the mathematician and royal adviser John Dee. On 29 September 1582, at about the age of 32, Davis married Faith Fulford, daughter of Sir John Fulford, the High Sheriff of Devon, and Lady Dorothy Bourchier, daughter of John Bourchier, 1st...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alonso de Guzmán y Sotomayor, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia — Contemporary (Born in 1550) (1550): Spanish aristocrat and patron, famed for his role in the 1588 Spanish Armada.
• Henri I, Duke of Guise — Contemporary (Born in 1550) (1550): Powerful leader in the French Wars of Religion, Duke of Guise.
• Nicholas Bourbon (the elder) — Contemporary (Died in 1550) (1550): 16th-century French court preceptor and poet, known for his collection 'Nugae'.
• Boris Godunov — Contemporary (Died in 1605) (1605): Tsar of Russia (1598–1605) during the tumultuous Time of Troubles.
• Naresuan — Contemporary (Died in 1605) (1605): Revered King of Ayutthaya, known for freeing Siam from Burmese vassalage.
• Patriarch Nikon of Moscow — Contemporary (Born in 1605) (1605): Seventh Patriarch of Moscow, known for liturgical reforms and political influence.
• Benazir Bhutto — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2007): Pioneering Pakistani stateswoman, first woman PM in a Muslim-majority nation.
• Carrie Fisher — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2016): Iconic actress and writer, best known for Princess Leia in Star Wars.
• Tabinshwehti — Historical peer (Died in 1550) (1550): Founder of the First Toungoo Empire, King of Burma (1530–1550)
• Willem Barentsz — Historical peer (Born in 1550) (1550): Dutch explorer famed for searching the Northeast Passage in the Arctic.
• 1550 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1550
• 1605 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1605
• December 27 (12-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 27