William Cecil, lord Burleigh, eminent English statesman, was the son of Richard Cecil, master of the robes to Henry VIII,, and was born at Bourne, in Lincolnshire, in 1520, died 1598. He studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, whence he removed to Gray's Inn, with a view to prepare himself for the practice of the law, but an introduction to the court of Henry VIII. changed his aims.On the accession of Edward VI. his interests were advanced by the protector Somerset whom he accompanied in the expedition to Scotland. He held no public office during the reign of Mary, and by extraordinary caution managed to escape persecution. On the accession of Elizabeth he was appointed privy-councillor and secretary of state, and during all the rest of his life he was at the helm of affairs. One of the first acts of her reign was the settlement of religion, which Cecil conducted with great skill and prudence, considering the difficulties to be encountered.The general tenor of Cecil's policy was cautious, and rested upon an avoidance of open hostilities, and a reliance on secret negotiation and intrigues with opposing parties in the neighbouring
WILLIAM CECIL - Lord Burleigh 1520-98		countries with a view to avert the dangers which
Elizabeths chief minister for forty years		threatened his own .

On the suppression of the northern rebellion in 157l Elizabeth raised him to the peerage by the title of Baron Burleigh. His character in private life was very attractive. Much of the glory of the reign of Elizabeth is due to the counsels and measures of Cecil.

Robert, Earl of Salisbury, English statesman, second son of William Cecil, lord Burleigh. He was born about 1563 of a weak constitution, on which account he was educated at home till his removal to the University of Cambridge. Having received the honour of knighthood he went to France as assistant to the English ambassador. On the death of Sir Francis Walsingham he succeeded him as principal secretary, and continued to be a confidential minister of Queen Elizabeth to the end of her reign. Having secretly supported the interests of James I. previous to his accession to the crown he was continued in office under the new sovereign and raised to the peerage. In 1603 he was created a baron, in 1604 Viscount Cranbourn, and in 1605 Earl of Salisbury. In 1608 Lord Salisbury was made lord high-treasurer, an office which he held till his death in 1612.