Origins & Early Life

Admiral Sir John Hawkins (also spelled Hawkyns) (1532 – 1595) was an English naval commander, naval administrator, privateer and slave trader. Hawkins pioneered, and was an early promoter of, English involvement in the Atlantic slave trade. He is considered to be the first English merchant to profit from the Triangle Trade, selling enslaved people from Africa to the Spanish colonies in the West Indies in the late 16th century. In 1588, Hawkins served as a Vice-Admiral and fought in the victory over the Spanish Armada, for which he was knighted for gallantry.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

As Treasurer of the Navy, Hawkins became the chief architect of the Elizabethan Navy. He redesigned the navy so the ships were faster, more manoeuvrable and had more firepower. Hawkins' son, Richard Hawkins, was captured by the Spanish. In response, along with his cousin Sir Francis Drake, he raised a fleet of ships to attack the Spanish in the West Indies. However, he died at sea during the expedition.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

John Hawkins was born to a prominent family of ship builders and captains in the naval port of Plymouth in Devon. His exact date of birth is unknown, but was likely between November 1532 and March 1533. He was...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Sofonisba Anguissola — Contemporary (Born in 1532) (1532): Master Italian Renaissance portrait painter, celebrated for her skill and family depictions.
• Tulsidas — Contemporary (Born in 1532) (1532): Renowned Vaishnava saint and poet, celebrated for the Ramcharitmanas.
• Yermak Timofeyevich — Contemporary (Born in 1532) (1532): Cossack ataman who initiated the Russian conquest of Siberia against the Tatar Khanate.
• Bohdan Khmelnytsky — Contemporary (Born in 1595) (1595): Ruthenian nobleman and military leader who established an independent Cossack state.
• Władysław IV Vasa — Contemporary (Born in 1595) (1595): King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, known for military reforms and patronage.
• Auguste Rodin — Shared historical date (11-12 · Born) (1840): Founder of modern sculpture, celebrated for naturalism and emotional depth.
• Baháʼu'lláh — Shared historical date (11-12 · Born) (1817): Founder of the Baháʼí Faith, whose teachings emphasize unity and world governance.
• 3rd Dalai Lama — Historical peer (Died in 1588) (1588): Founding figure of the Dalai Lama lineage, pivotal to Gelug school's rise in Tibet.
• Henri I, Duke of Guise — Historical peer (Died in 1588) (1588): Powerful leader in the French Wars of Religion, Duke of Guise.
• Atahualpa — Historical peer (Died in 1533) (1533): The last effective Inca Emperor, whose reign marked the end of the great Andean civilization.
• 1532 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1532
• 1595 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1595
• November 12 (11-12) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 12