Sir Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, KG, PC (1 June 1563?

– 24 May 1612), son of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, and half-brother of Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter.

After his education at St John's College, Cambridge, Salisbury is made Secretary of State following the death of Sir Francis Walsingham in 1590, and he becomes the leading minister after the death of his father in 1598, serving both Queen Elizabeth and King James as Secretary of State.

He falls into dispute with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, and only prevails upon the latter's poor campaign against the Irish rebels during the Nine Years War in 1599.

He is then in a position to orchestrate the smooth succession of King James.

For most of his working life he serves as spymaster for King James.